Andrew Lawrence-King

Andrew Lawrence-King is recognised as one of Europe's leading early music artists, leader of The Harp Consort and the rising new star of the baroque scene as conductor 'from the continuo' of orchestras, choirs and staged operas. His musical career began as Head Chorister at the Cathedral & Parish Church of St Peter Port, Guernsey. He won an Organ Scholarship to Selwyn College, Cambridge and subsequently studied Voice and Continuo at the London Early Music Centre, where his teachers included Emma Kirkby, Roger Norrington and Nigel Rogers. He took up the harp quite by chance, and in the absence of a modern school of baroque harp-playing, taught himself to play, using period treatises and iconography. He quickly established himself in London, performing and recording with nearly all the leading specialist ensembles: he has made over 100 recordings of music ranging from Troubadour lyrics (with Paul Hillier for ECM) to new music for early harp (John Paul Jones' 'Amores Pasados' with The Harp Consort for DHM) and including two accounts of the Handel Harp Concerto - with The Sixteen, and with Andrew Parrott's Taverner Players. After six years as harpist and keyboard player with the baroque ensemble Tragicomedia, for whom he created many musical arrangements and concert programmes, most recently a recording of Anna Magdalena Bach's 'Notenbuch', Andrew Lawrence-King formed his own ensemble, THE HARP CONSORT in 1994. Taking its inspiration from the original 17th century 'Consorte' created by Charles I, The Harp Consort is a mixed vocal and instrumental ensemble that brings together world-class soloists in various line-ups, according to the repertoire being performed. The Harp Consort's combination of detailed historical research with the dramatic spontaneity of improvised performance won them instant critical acclaim. Their debut recording, Ribayaz's 17th century collection of dance music from Spain, Italy, South America and Africa, 'Luz y Norte' forms the basis of a baroque stage show of improvised music and dance. Luz y Norte toured America for the first time in 1996, and will be given at Australia's Brisbane Festival and in the Sydney Opera House in 97. Andrew Lawrence-King's schedule for performances - solo, with The Harp Consort and as a guest conductor - takes him this season to Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Scandinavia and Japan. The Harp Consort have two US tours as well as a busy recording schedule, turning their attention now also to medieval music. DHM has recently released their second CD, CAROLAN'S HARP: dances, airs and laments by Turlough O'Carolan, "the chief musician of all Ireland". Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.