T11
SALE OF INDIVIDUAL ENTRY: From August 1, 2025
THE ENGLISH CONCERT
Founded in 1973 by harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert has established itself as one of the most influential ensembles in the historically informed performance of Baroque and Classical music. Inspired by the idea of reviving works with the instruments and styles of their time, Pinnock gathered like-minded musicians, creating an ensemble that quickly gained recognition for its fresh and insightful interpretations. The name “The English Concert” was suggested by Jordi Savall, a colleague and friend of Pinnock.
Under Pinnock’s direction, the ensemble undertook an ambitious recording project, producing celebrated interpretations of works such as Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Handel’s Messiah, and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. These recordings, acclaimed for their vitality and scholarly approach, played a crucial role in popularizing Baroque music and establishing The English Concert as a benchmark in early music performance. The ensemble received two Gramophone Awards for its performances of Corelli’s Concerti Grossi and Haydn’s Nelson Mass.
After Pinnock’s departure in 2003, violinist Andrew Manze took over, bringing a new perspective and expanding the ensemble’s repertoire. During his tenure, The English Concert produced a series of notable recordings for Harmonia Mundi.
In 2007, harpsichordist Harry Bicket was appointed artistic director. Under his leadership, the ensemble has expanded its focus to opera and oratorio, with a particular emphasis on Handel’s works. Bicket has led acclaimed performances of numerous Handel operas and oratorios, collaborating… (continues, but truncated as per original document).
KRISTIAN>BEZUIDENHOUT. Conductor
Kristian Bezuidenhout has established himself as one of the most versatile and exciting musicians of his generation, both as a keyboardist (specializing in fortepiano, harpsichord, and modern piano) and increasingly as a conductor. Born in South Africa, he began his studies in Australia and completed them at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY). He currently resides in London. After training as a modern pianist with Rebecca Penneys, he specialized in historical keyboard instruments, studying harpsichord with Arthur Haas, fortepiano with Malcolm Bilson, and basso continuo and performance practice with Paul O’Dette.
His international breakthrough came at the age of 21, when he won both the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Bruges Fortepiano Competition—one of the most prestigious competitions for this instrument in the world.
Bezuidenhout regularly appears as a soloist with leading ensembles and orchestras, including the Freiburger Barockorchester, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Camerata Salzburg, Les Arts Florissants, Orchestre des Champs Elysées, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among many others. He has collaborated with renowned conductors and soloists such as John Eliot Gardiner, Philippe Herreweghe, Frans Brüggen, Trevor Pinnock, Isabelle Faust, Rachel Podger, Anne Sofie von Otter, and Mark Padmore.
Alongside his solo career, his work as a conductor has led him to collaborate with leading Baroque ensembles, including The English Concert, Tafelmusik, Collegium Vocale Gent, Juilliard 415, Kammerakademie Potsdam, and the Dunedin Consort, performing repertoire ranging from Purcell and Handel to Bach’s Passions. He is currently Principal Guest Director of both The English Concert and the Freiburger Barockorchester.
His internationally acclaimed discography, largely on the Harmonia Mundi label, includes over 30 albums. Highlights include the complete keyboard works of Mozart (Diapason d’Or de l’Année, Caecilia Prize, Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik), Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin with Julian Prégardien, Beethoven’s piano concertos, and the ongoing complete recordings of Mozart’s piano concertos with the Freiburger Barockorchester (ECHO Klassik Award). He has also recorded Bach’s violin sonatas with Isabelle Faust and Schumann’s Dichterliebe with Mark Padmore (Edison Award).
He was nominated for Artist of the Year by Gramophone magazine in 2013. In 2024, he will record two new volumes of Mozart concertos.
