Trevor Pinnock, Founding Director of The English Concert
Driven by a desire to bring Baroque and Classical music to life with the instruments and playing styles of their time, Pinnock assembled a group of like-minded musicians, and from these early years, The English Concert quickly gained recognition for its fresh and insightful interpretations. Pinnock, directing from the harpsichord, led the orchestra for over three decades, shaping its distinctive sound, characterised by a vibrant energy and stylistic awareness. He championed historically informed performance practices, meticulously researching and applying period techniques to their playing.
This commitment to authenticity, coupled with the ensemble's virtuosity, resonated with audiences and critics alike. Under Pinnock's direction, The English Concert embarked on an extensive recording project, producing a vast and influential discography that includes celebrated interpretations of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Handel's Messiah, and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Under his direction, THe English Concert won two gramophone awards for our performance of Corelli’s Concerti Grossi and Haydn’s Nelson Mass. These recordings, praised for their vitality and scholarly approach, played a crucial role in popularising Baroque music and establishing The English Concert as a leading ensemble in the early music revival. While Pinnock stepped down as director in 2003, his legacy continues to inspire the orchestra today.
Following Trevor’s tenure, Andrew Manze took the mantle yielding a series of seminal recordings on Harmonia Mundi, including acclaimed interpretations of Mozart violin concertos and CPE Bach symphonies. In 2007, The English Concert welcomed Harry Bicket as Artistic Director. Bicket, continued the orchestra's commitment to historically informed performance, bringing his experience of working across the globe with leading opera houses.
Artistic Director Harry Bicket (center) and The English Concert
Under Bicket's leadership, The English Concert has embraced a wide range of repertoire, placing a renewed focus on opera and oratorio. He has a particular affinity for Handel, and has led the orchestra in acclaimed performances of many of the composer's operas and oratorios.
Bicket's tenure has also been marked by a series of celebrated recordings. His recordings for EMI, Harmonia Mundi and Linn Records, feature collaborations with renowned soloists like Iestyn Davies, Lucy Crowe, Emily D’Angelo, Ian Bostridge, Sarah Connolly, and Elizabeth Watts, and have garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Their partnership has taken The English Concert to prestigious venues and festivals internationally, further solidifying its reputation as a leading force in historically informed performance.
