violin playing girl

79 Artists

596 views

City of London Sinfonia

Entering their 40th year, City of London Sinfonia is one of the UK’s leading professional orchestras, having earned a reputation for consistently high quality performances and recordings.

Highly sought after, City of London Sinfonia give around one hundred performances each year in London, throughout the UK and abroad.

Founded in 1971 by the late Richard Hickox CBE, they have a reputation for skillfully combined programmes, a commitment to the music of British composers and collaborations with the human voice – always performed with palpable energy and spirit.  

Guildhall Jazz Singers and Band

The Guildhall Jazz Singers and Band are part of the highly regarded Guildhall School’s Jazz programme at Guildhall School of Music and Drama – rated the top specialist institution in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2013.

Since its founding in 1880, the Guildhall School has stood as a vibrant showcase of the City of London Corporation’s commitment to education and the arts.
 
Previous music alumni include composer Thomas Adès and trumpet Alison Balsom.

Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral

The Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral has enriched and supported worship at the Cathedral for over 900 years ago, and is today renowned as one of the major forces in British church music for its mature and professional tone. The company consists of 30 choristers (boy trebles), eight probationers (who will become choristers) and 12 professional adult singers (or Vicars Choral): four altos, four tenors and four basses.

London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded to be amongst the top five orchestras in the world, with a roster of soloists and conductors second to none. But there is much more to its work than concert halls. Its many activities include an energetic and ground-breaking education and community programme, a record company, and exciting work in digital technology.

Edward Gardner (conductor)

Edward Gardner OBE, Music Director of ENO since 2007, was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the CBSO in 2011. He is a popular with major international orchestras and opera companies, with whom he will perform in cities on four continents through 2014. He works regularly with young musicians including the Barbican Young Orchestra, and in 2002 founded the Halle Youth Orchestra. 2015 will see Edward Gardner commence as Chief Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic.  

Andrew Carwood (director)

Andrew Carwood received his musical education as a choral scholar in the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, and enjoyed an illustrious career as a singer before focusing attention on conducting and choral direction. He established his reputation as a conductor with The Cardinall’s Musick, a vocal ensemble specialising in pre-Reformation church music. Carwood was appointed Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2007, where he chooses the music for, and trains, the Cathedral’s Choir of boys and men for their performances of daily liturgies, special services of national importance, recordings, tours and concert appearances.

Stephen Disley (conductor)

Stephen Disley, Sub-Organist at Southwark Cathedral and Founding Director of its Girls’ Choir, studied organ at Liverpool Cathedral before winning a joint Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music and London’s Temple Church. As a recitalist and accompanist, Disley frequently appears at the Royal Albert Hall and the UK’s major venues.

Nash Ensemble

Since 2010 the Nash Ensemble has been Resident Chamber Ensemble at Wigmore Hall. The Ensemble is acclaimed for its adventurous programming and virtuoso performances, presenting works from Haydn to the avant-garde, and is a major contributor towards the recognition and promotion of contemporary composers. The Nash tours throughout Europe and the USA and has received two Royal Philharmonic Society Awards.

“It should be obligatory for music critics to point out that this group has commissioned more than 175 new works since its foundation in 1964. It plays the old ones pretty well, too. …its performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet had me holding my breath for the entire 35 minutes’ duration. That’s only a slight exaggeration.” – The Observer

Onyx Brass

BBC Music Magazine described Onyx Brass as “easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain”. For 20 years it has been the leading light in establishing the brass quintet as a medium for serious chamber music. It is a point of pride for the group to play authentic, challenging music, and yet remain a group which is utterly accessible to audiences. The group has commissioned and performed first performances of well over 100 new works, by composers such as: Judith Bingham, Rory Boyle, Jonathan Dove, Timothy Jackson, Steve Martland, John McCabe, Paul Mealor, Michael Nyman, Tarik O’Regan, Julian Phillips and John Tavener.

Daniel Cook

Daniel Cook is Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey, where he is the principal organist to the Abbey Choir and Assistant Director of Music to James O’Donnell. He is Artistic Director of the Mousai Singers and maintains a busy schedule of recitals, concerts and recordings as well as being in demand as a teacher and singer.  

Prior to this Daniel was Organist and Master of the Choristers of St Davids Cathedral and Artistic Director of the St Davids Cathedral Festival. Under his direction the Cathedral Choir made several broadcasts and recordings for the BBC and performed with the BBC singers in the City of London Festival.

London Symphony Chorus

The London Symphony Chorus was formed in 1966 to complement the work of the London Symphony Orchestra, and is directed by Simon Halsey. The LSC has also partnered other major UK and international orchestras in performances in the UK and abroad, recorded extensively with the LSO on LSO Live and has commissioned new works from composers such as Sir John Tavener, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Michael Berkeley and Jonathan Dove.

Simon Callow

Simon Callow is a well known actor, director and writer. He has appeared in many films, including the hugely popular Four Weddings and a Funeral. Simon’s books include Being an Actor, Shooting the Actor, a highly acclaimed biography of Charles Laughton, Love is Where it Falls, an account of his friendship with Peggy Ramsay the great playwright agent.  Simon is currently writing the third volume of his biography of Orson Welles. He also regularly writes for The Guardian.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields performs fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s most loved classical music. They are known for their polished and refined sound, with performances rooted in outstanding musicianship. And whilst their focus is the Classical era, they are never afraid to perform something completely new. Their founder is Sir Neville Marriner, whose vision and inspiration keep the Academy sound and spirit alive. Today They are led artistically by Music Director virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, and the membership of the orchestra who creates an annual programme of inspirational and inventive performances. Each year they also work with some of the world’s most talented soloists and directors.

Inon Barnatan (piano/director)

Pianist Inon Barnatan is widely recognized for refined, communicative, insightful playing that combines an extraordinary depth of musicianship and an impeccable, virtuosic technique. Hailed by The New Yorker as “a pianist of uncommon sensitivity,” Mr. Barnatan is often praised for his naturally expressive, poetic music making. With this instinctive understanding of the repertoire, he performs a diverse range of works from classical to contemporary, encompassing various styles and genres, in thoughtful and imaginative programs. His most recent solo album, Darknesse Visible, was named one of the top classical recordings of 2012 by The New York Times and his most recent Schubert album, celebrating the composer’s late works, was released by Avie in September 2013.

Michael Petrov (cello)

Michael Petrov was born in Bulgaria in 1990 into a family of musicians. He has studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and, since 2009, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The young musician already boasts concert highlights including recitals at Wigmore Hall (London), the Kronberg and Los Angeles Cello Festivals, and the Weill Recital Hall in the Carnegie Hall (New York). During the 2014/15 season Michael will be giving recitals in major concert halls throughout Europe as part of his nomination as an European Concert Halls Organisation Rising Star.

Barbican Young Orchestra

The Barbican Young Orchestra was set up in 2008 by Sir Colin Davis and Sir Nicholas Kenyon to give children from the Greater London area aged 9-16 the opportunity to play great music on an international stage with world class conductors. 2013/14 sees world renowned conductor Ed Gardner bring his wealth of experience to the BYO.

Andrew Kennedy (tenor)

Andrew Kennedy, a former chorister at Durham Cathedral, studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and the Royal College of Music. In 2003 he was chosen to join the Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; he has also been selected as a member of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists Scheme. Andrew has performed with major international opera companies and orchestras at famed venues including La Scala and Wigmore Hall (London), and boasts a fast-growing discography of solo albums and recital disks.

Iain Burnside (piano)

The multi-talented Iain Burnside is a Scottish pianist and Sony-Award-winning presenter on BBC Radio 3 who, in association with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, has additionally written a number of theatre pieces. Following study at Oxford University, the Royal Academy of Music and the Chopin Academy in Warsaw, he has worked with acclaimed singers including Dame Margaret Price, Susan Chilcott, Galina Gorchakova, Roderick Williams and Bryn Terfel as a vocal accompanist. His recordings cover an eclectic repertoire from Debussy to Judith Weir, via the highways and byways of English Song.

Alex Jennings (narrator)

Multi-award winning actor Alex Jennings is best known for his portrayal of Prince George in the film The Queen. He is also commonly seen starring in plays and musicals on stage, and boasts numerous radio and television credits; in 2008 Jennings made his operatic debut with ENO in Robert Carsen’s production of Bernstein’s Candide. Since May 2014 Alex Jennings has taken up the role of Willy Wonka on the West End in the acclaimed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical.

National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain

The National Youth Chamber Choir comprises of singers aged 18 to 24. It provides young people who are considering a professional career in singing a platform to develop a flexible and creative approach to performance across a vast repertoire of music.

Sunwook Kim

Seoul-born Sunwook Kim began the piano at the age of 3, gave his debut recital at 10 and his concerto debut two years later. In 2006 he came to international recognition when he won the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition, aged 18, becoming the youngest winner for 40 years, and its first Asian winner. Kim has since performed recitals in venues including the Wigmore Hall (London), Kioi Hall (Tokyo) and Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), and appeared as a concerto soloist with the world’s most prestigious orchestras. In 2013 Sunwook Kim became the first beneficiary of the Beethoven-Haus Bonn Mentoring Programme.

“Surely destined to be known as one of the greats…” (The News, Portsmouth)

Clare Teal

Yorkshire-born Clare Teal is one of Britain’s most successful contemporary Jazz singers. She is a two-time winner of the British Jazz Singer of the year award (2005, 2007), and BBC Jazz Singer of the Year 2006, and boasts a string of successful recordings including the UK National Top 20 hit Don’t Talk. Clare also has a career in broadcasting, as a presenter on BBC Radio 2.

Tom Winpenny (conductor)

Tom Winpenny is Assistant Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral. He began organ lessons while a chorister at York Minster and continued his education at Eton College, Worcester Cathedral and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, before becoming Organ Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. His recent performances include concerts in Westminster Cathedral, Stockholm Cathedral and in the USA.

Katherine Dienes-Williams (conductor)

New Zealand-born Katherine Dienes-Williams was the first-ever female member to be elected to the Cathedral Organists’ Association. In January 2008 she was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral and became the first ever woman to hold such a post in the Church of England. Dienes-William’s organ playing has won her several awards including the prestigious New Zealand Gillian Weir Waitangi Scholarship; she is also a recording artist and choral composer.

Peter Wright (organ)

Peter Wright is Director of Music at Southwark Cathedral since 1989, and its longest-serving Organist. Under his direction, the Cathedral Choir has recorded five CDs, undertaken tours to the USA and Europe and broadcast regularly on television and radio, including recording the signature tune for television show Mr Bean. Peter Wright has travelled widely in Europe, Australasia and USA, and to Japan and South Africa as an organ recitalist and choral conductor.

Anne McAneney (trumpet)

Anne McAneney was born and grew up in Belfast. After studying Music at Goldsmiths College and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where she was awarded the Principal’s Prize, McAneney embarked on a freelance career. Since 1995 she has been a Professor of Trumpet at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and, in 2000, was appointed Sub-Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Kit Downes (piano)

British Jazz pianist Kit Downes studied at the Purcell School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Kit, described by Timeout Magazine as “one of the finest pianists of his generation“, has gone from strength to strength since he won Rising Star in the BBC Jazz Awards in 2008. His debut album with the Kit Downes Trio, “Golden” was nominated for the Mercury Music Award in 2010, and the follow-up “Quiet Tiger” was described as an even “stronger Kit Downes album than its… predecessor” (The Guardian).

Lucy Railton (cello)

Since cellist Lucy Railton graduated from The Royal College of Music and the New England Conservatory, Boston, in 2008, she has proved herself to be a diverse musician. She performs as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborative artist, with both electronic and improvising musicians, and classical ensembles; she is the cellist for the contemporary dancer Akram Khan with whom she has toured internationally.

Seb Rochford (drums)

Drummer Seb Rochford was the winner of the BBC Rising Star Jazz award in 2004, but his musical outputs span many genres, having worked with diverse artists from Adele to Babyshambles, and from rock band Menlo Park to Yoko Ono. His own band, Polar Bear, was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2006.

Voces8

VOCES8 is one of the most exciting and versatile vocal groups in the world. The multi award-winning ensemble fulfils an international annual touring schedule across Europe, the USA, Asia and Africa. Performance venues include the Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Tokyo Opera City, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, Tel Aviv Opera House, National Concert Hall Taipei, Cite de la Musique in Paris, Dijon Opera House, National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing and Shanghai Concert Hall. With a specialism in classical choral music, the group performs repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony to unique Jazz and Pop arrangements. VOCES8 is a Decca Classics Artist and has a busy and exciting release schedule that includes the album ‘Eventide’, which held Classical Number 1 in the UK Official Charts in February 2014 for two weeks. The ensemble has also recorded a series of award-winning discs for Signum Classics, with ‘A Purcell Collection’ released most recently in April 2014. Artistic collaborations with orchestras have included the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra and period ensemble Les Inventions. VOCES8 is very grateful for support from Arts Council England, the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Worshipful Company of Musicians and T.M.Lewin.

Tommy Smith (saxophone)

Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith began his prolific career as a leading light on the European jazz scene at the age of 16 when he recorded his first album Giant Strides. Since attending the Berklee College of Music he has made 26 solo albums, the latest of which, KARMA, won him his seventh Scottish Jazz Award for Album of the Year in 2012. Tommy Smith is the founder/director of The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, the founder/director of The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, and the Artistic Director of the full-time jazz course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Brian Kellock

Brian Kellock is a Scottish jazz pianist of international repute. He he has collaborated with notable artists on the British jazz scene including Art Farmer, Sheila Jordan, Scott Hamilton, Red Rodney and James Morrison, and was selected by Classic CD as “one of the 10 hottest pianists in the world”. The Times says “[Brian is] one of Britain’s finest jazz pianists… This is a pianist on the height of his form, yet continually on the edge…”

Roberto Pla

Timbalero Roberto Pla studied percussion with Pompelio Rodriguez, one of Colombia’s greatest percussionists. Roberto moved from Columbia to New York, to London where he co-founded the UK’s first salsa band, Valdez. He has toured the world with pop megastars including Boney M., Joe Strummer and Motorhead, and has recorded for Kate Bush and M. People. Since 1988 Pla has toured internationally with his own 12-piece band, Roberto Pla Latin Ensemble.

Sarah MacDonald (conductor)

Sarah MacDonald is Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge University and Director of Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto before coming to the UK in 1992 as an Organ Scholar of Robinson College, Cambridge, and has been at Selwyn College since 1999. MacDonald is a successful pianist, organist, conductor, and producer; she has made over 25 recordings.

Thomas Trotter (organ)

Thomas Trotter is a preeminent British Organist, trained at King’s College, Cambridge, and under Marie-Claire Alaine. He was appointed Birmingham City Organist in 1983, and is also Organist at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey and Visiting Fellow in Organ Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. Besides regular recitals in Birmingham, Trotter tours on four continents, playing as a soloist and in orchestral partnerships. In May 2002 he became the first organist to receive the Royal Philharmonic Society award for Best Instrumentalist.

Julian Joseph (piano)

Julian Joseph is a towering figure in contemporary jazz, a “world-class jazz pianist with large-scale compositional skills and a passport to the contemporary-classical world” ­– The Guardian. A noted solo performer, Julian is also recognised as a prodigious composer and arranger of classical and jazz music for big band and strings, full symphony orchestra and opera. He is a respected broadcaster, having presented jazz television series and several radio shows on BBC Radio 3, including Jazz Line-up and the celebrated Jazz Legends. He is also the recipient of numerous music awards, most recently a BASCA Gold Badge for his contribution to the British music industry. In January 2013 he opened the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy in London.

Michal Rogalski (oboe)

Michal Rogalski moved to London last year, having regularly appeared as a principal oboist and solo cor anglais player with the Minnesota Opera and as a substitute oboist of the Minnesota Orchestra. His is a former oboist of the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra and the Piedmont Opera. He has performed at several summer festivals, such as Ravinia Festival, Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest, National Orchestral Institute Festival, International Summer Academy of Early Music in Warsaw, or Roanoke Island Summer Festival.

Michal studied at the Paderewski Music High School, Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Red Note Ensemble

Red Note is Scotland’s contemporary music ensemble, dedicated to developing and performing contemporary music to the highest standards and taking the music out to audiences around and beyond Scotland.

Red Note performs the established classics of contemporary music, commissions new music, develops the work of new and emerging composers from around the world and finds new spaces and new ways of performing contemporary music to attract new audiences. The ensemble is drawn from the deep talent pool of Scottish new music expertise, and includes some of the very finest performers working in the UK today.

Myung-Whun Chung (conductor)

Myung-Whun Chung is a South Korean pianist and conductor whose professional career began at the age of 7, when he made his debut with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Having studied at the Mannes School and Juilliard School in New York, Chung was appointed as Carlo Maria Giulini’s assistant at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and quickly rose to the position of Associate Conductor. He has conducted virtually all the world’s leading orchestras, and has received international awards for his recordings. In 1995 he was named ‘Man of the year’ by UNESCO for his devotion to global humanitarian efforts and now serves as the first Honorary Cultural Ambassador for Korea.

Chung is a world-renowned conductor, commended as a “wonderful musician who coaxes the music out of his players. He guides rather than dictates, allowing his orchestras the freedom to express themselves in a wonderfully organic way.” – Backtrack

Kathleen Kim (soprano)

Korean soprano Kathleen Kim has been in constant demand since her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2007. The current season features a return to the Metropolitan Opera as Tytania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as her Italian debut for Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in L’enfant et les sortilèges. Further highlights include her company debut at San Diego Opera as Oscar in Un ballo in maschera and concerts in Seoul under Myung-Whun Chung.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

London Symphony Orchestra Beethoven Symphony No 9

Next Story

Wren Choral Marathon