He has given solo and concerto performances in the Musikverein in Vienna, the Philharmonie in Berlin, and the Wigmore Hall in London. He works regularly as a chamber partner with Andrew Manze, Jaap ter Linden and Catherine Bott, playing all types of historical keyboards and performing music ranging from fifteenth century organ intabulations to modern piano music from the 20th century. He was harpsichordist with London Baroque from 1991-95, and is now director of The Academy of the Begijnhof, Amsterdam.

Egarr’s musical training as a choirboy at York Minster, at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and as Organ Scholar at Clare College, Cambridge brings a deep and wide-ranging experience to his activities inside and outside Early Music. His study with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam further inspired his work in the field of historical performance, culminating in his taking first prize in the International CPE Bach Fortepiano-Clavichord-Harpsichord Competition in Hamburg.

As a conductor Richard Egarr has had great experience in many fields. He has directed operas and oratorios, from Bach’s St Matthew Passion to John Taverner’s Ikon of Light. He has been greeted as director of specialist ensembles and modern orchestras alike, notably the Hanover and the Amsterdam Bach Soloists. This season Richard Egarr is guest directing the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Bochum Symphoniker and the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra. Next season he will be returning to the Orchestra of the Paris Conservatory (Purcell’s Fairy Queen, after previous productions with Rasposo for the Festival Ile de France) and the Orchestra of the Britten-Pears Foundation (with Handel’s Acis & Galatea), where he conducted the St Matthew Passion by Telemann last year.

As soloist, Richard Egarr has appeared with the Dutch Radio Chamber Orchestra in three consecutive years, in concertos by CPE Bach, Haydn and Mozart. He demonstrated his remarkable improvisational skills in several recitals with jazz pianist-composer Guus Janssen. He will continue to collaborate with Jannsen in concerts with the Dutch Wind Ensemble next year.

Improvisation also marks his long lasting and highly successful collaboration with violinist Andrew Manze, in their unparalleled performances of music from the Stylus Phantasticus and the late Baroque. After touring the Benelux countries, Germany, England, France, Spain and Scandinavia, the 2002?03 season comprises two major tours to the US and a debut tour to Australia.

Richard Egarr has appeared on many recordings. His solo discs include works by Frescobaldi, Gibbons, Couperin, Purcell, and JS Bach. His first complete recording of the keyboard works of Johann Jakob Froberger met with great critical acclaim. Recent recordings with Andrew Manze and Jaap ter Linden for HM USA include sonatas by Rebel, Handel and Bach. The recording of the complete sonatas of Pandolfi won the Baroque Instrumental category in the 2000 Gramophone Awards. With The Academy of Ancient Music he has recorded works by Geminiani and the complete Bach harpsichord concertos (Harmonia Mundi USA).