Biography

Piers Adams is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest recorder virtuosi. His playing has been described as "astonishing" (Washington Post), "breathtaking" (London Daily Telegraph), "staggering" (Gramophone). He has performed in numerous festivals and at premiere concert halls throughout the world, including London’s Royal Festival, Wigmore and Queen Elizabeth Halls, as soloist with orchestras including the Philharmonia, the English Sinfonia, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Singapore Simphony and the BBC Symphony. Piers has made several solo CDs reflecting an eclectic taste, ranging from his award-winning Vivaldi debut disc to David Bedford’s Recorder Concerto – one of many major works written for him. He has also researched, arranged and recorded a variety of romantic showpieces, which are a mainstay of his recital programs. Full details of his performing activities can be found on his website (click link opposite).

Julia Bishop is one of the outstanding baroque violin specialists of her generation, with a virtuoso style described as "scorching" (Washington Post) and "psychedelic" (BBC Music Magazine). She has toured the world with most of the UK's leading period instrument orchestras, including the English Concert, of which she was a member for six years. She is now in great demand as an orchestral leader and soloist, in particular with the celebrated Gabrieli Consort, with whom she performs internationally and records for Deutsche Grammophon. She has also appeared as concerto soloist with Florilegium, the Brandenburg Consort and the Hanover Band, and regularly coaches and directs the baroque orchestra of the Royal Academy of Music, London. Julia made her solo debut for BBC Radio Three's "Music Restored", performing virtuoso violin sonatas by Festing, and will shortly record her first recital disc for Dorian Recordings.

Angela East is widely respected as one of the most brilliant and dynamic performers in the period instrument world, praised in The Times, London, for the "elemental power" of her cello playing. She has given numerous concerto performances in London's Queen Elizabeth and Wigmore Halls, and has performed as soloist and continuo cellist with many of Europe's leading baroque orchestras. Amongst her impressive list of concert credits are La Scala, Milan, Sydney Opera House, Versailles and Glyndebourne. In 1991 Angela formed "The Revolutionary Drawing Room" which performs chamber works from the revolutionary period in Europe on original instruments, and whose first eight CDs have received glowing reviews world-wide. In May 2001 she recorded the complete Bach Cello Suites for Dorian Recordings.

Howard Beach ’s uniquely wide-ranging style of keyboard playing has been developed through years of partnering fine musicians in many different fields of music, as well as his own experience as an accomplished singer and violinist. As an outstanding student he was piano accompanist to the now world famous Bryn Terfel and numerous other prize-winning singers and instrumentalists. Since 1989 he has worked regularly with Piers Adams in concert and in the recording studio as both harpsichordist and pianist – including several performances in London's Wigmore Hall and tours throughout Europe, Canada and the Far East. He has also performed and recorded as a concerto soloist and continuo player with Les Arts Florissants, the Apollo Chamber Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. Howard broadcasts frequently on radio and has been consultant and performer on programs for UK's Channel 4 TV.