Philip Turbett
Encyclopedia
Philip Turbett is a British bassoon
ist and clarinet
tist also specialising in historically informed performance
.
, the English Baroque Soloists
, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
, the Academy of Ancient Music
, the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the London Classical Players
. He has worked with many other leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Philharmonia
, English National Ballet
, the Hanover Band
, London Baroque, Collegium Musicum 90
, The English Concert
and many other freelance orchestras. He has appeared on hundreds recordings, of which many have received awards from the music industry.
He has worked with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Mark Elder, Frans Brüggen
, Vladimir Jurowski
, Edward Gardner
, Paul Daniel
and Daniel Harding
.
His work has taken him to Australia, Japan, America, South America, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and all the major European cities. He has performed at all the major concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House
, Carnegie Hall
(New York), the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
(New York), Symphony Hall
(Boston) and Symphony Center
(Chicago), Suntory Hall
(Tokyo), and all the major European venues. Philip has also performed regularly at London's Southbank Centre, the Barbican Centre
, the Royal Festival Hall
, annually at Glyndebourne Opera House, the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival
and other major UK festivals.
Philip has often appeared and played on television, such as the BBC's Millennium Concert from Ely Cathedral
conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and broadcast live on BBC Television
and BBC Radio 3
, and more recently, in 2009, Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream
' with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
, also broadcast on BBC Television
. In the summer of 2000 he appeared at three of the BBC's Proms
including the concert to commemorate the anniversary of Bach
's death which was also broadcast live on BBC Television & BBC Radio 3. He performed during 2000 in concerts as part of the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists
.
within the Colchester Institute
. He went on to study bassoon, under Vernon Elliott, and clarinet at Trinity College of Music
from 1981 to 1985 where he won the Dame Ruth Railton
Prize for Woodwind, the David Toplis Memorial Prize for Woodwind, the Vernon Elliot Prize for Woodwind and the Grace Wylie Prize for Orchestral Playing. Philip was awarded a postgraduate by the Worshipful Company of Musicians
as a research scholar into the 17th and 18th century bassoon.
in London and at the University of Surrey
and gives master class
es at the Conservatoire de Paris
and the Conservatoire de Lyon. Philip is also a guest external examiner at the Royal College of Music
.
As a teacher, he has worked at the Dartington International Summer School, as a wind coach for the Hampshire Youth Orchestra, as a clarinet tutor for the Essex Youth Orchestras and as a teacher of bassoon, clarinet and saxophone at the Westminster Abbey Choir School
, the Benenden School
, the Bexley Music School and for the Inner London Education Authority
.
They gained an international reputation as a wind ensemble with unmatched versatility, encompassing music from the 16th century to contemporary works in "serious" and jazz styles. The quartet have travelled extensively throughout the British Isles playing for music societies, festivals, universities and schools. Engagements have included the Purcell Room, St. John's Smith Square and St. David's Hall Cardiff. Amongst the well-known celebrities that the quartet performed for are HRH the Duchess of Kent
, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, David Bellamny and Joan Collins
. They appeared on BBC and ITV Television, Radio 3 and Classic FM. The quartet worked for the Yehudi Menuhin "Live Music Now" scheme and performed at the International Clarinet Congresses in Paris and Ghent. They were invited by the British Council to give a series of concerts in Spain.
The Ebony Quartet have wide performing experience in educational surroundings. They give lecture recitals and master classes to young people from ages 5–20. The aim of the concerts is to introduce and demonstrate the instruments of the woodwind family through music from the 16th century to commissioned works by living composers. Their Ebony Quartet's CD "Overtones" features music from Franz Danzi to arrangements on Benny Goodman.
where he was responsible for the day-to-day running of all aspects of the orchestral music. Philip is currently orchestra manager and bassoonist for English Touring Opera
.
In 2006 he was appointed first ever patron to the St. Eugene's Band, Omagh ; a brass and reed band in which Philip played before he went to study in England.
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
ist and clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
tist also specialising in historically informed performance
Historically informed performance
Historically informed performance is an approach in the performance of music and theater. Within this approach, the performance adheres to state-of-the-art knowledge of the aesthetic criteria of the period in which the music or theatre work was conceived...
.
Orchestral career
Philip Turbett has been a bassoonist with Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentOrchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is a British period instrument orchestra. The OAE is a resident orchestra of the Southbank Centre, London, associate orchestra at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and has its headquarters at Kings Place...
, the English Baroque Soloists
English Baroque Soloists
The English Baroque Soloists is a chamber orchestra playing on period instruments, formed in 1978 by English conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Its repertoire comprises music from the early Baroque period to the Classical period...
, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
The Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, founded in 1990 by John Eliot Gardiner, performs Classical and Romantic music, using the principles and original instruments of historically informed performance. The orchestra has recorded symphonies, operas, concertos, and other works of Beethoven,...
, the Academy of Ancient Music
Academy of Ancient Music
The Academy of Ancient Music is a period-instrument orchestra based in Cambridge, England. Founded by harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood in 1973, it was named after a previous organisation of the same name of the 18th century. The musicians play on either original instruments or modern copies of...
, the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the London Classical Players
London Classical Players
The London Classical Players was a British orchestra that specialized in music following historically informed performance practices and orchestral performances on period musical instruments. Sir Roger Norrington founded the LCP in 1978. From 1978 to 1992, the concertmaster of the London...
. He has worked with many other leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, the Philharmonia
Philharmonia
The Philharmonia Orchestra is one of the leading orchestras in Great Britain, based in London. Since 1995, it has been based in the Royal Festival Hall. In Britain it is also the resident orchestra at De Montfort Hall, Leicester and the Corn Exchange, Bedford, as well as The Anvil, Basingstoke...
, English National Ballet
English National Ballet
English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great...
, the Hanover Band
Hanover Band
The Hanover Band founded by Caroline Brown in 1980 is a British period-instrument orchestra.The group's website explains the name thus: 'Hanover' signifies the Hanoverian period 1714-1830 and 'Band' is the 18th century term for orchestra....
, London Baroque, Collegium Musicum 90
Collegium Musicum 90
Collegium Musicum 90 is an English baroque orchestra playing on period instruments. It was founded by violinist Simon Standage and conductor Richard Hickox in 1990 and was jointly directed by them until the death of Hickox in November 2008.Collegium Musicum means something like musical guild and...
, The English Concert
The English Concert
The English Concert is a baroque orchestra playing on period instruments based in London. Founded in 1972 and directed from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock for 30 years, it is now directed by harpsichordist Harry Bicket...
and many other freelance orchestras. He has appeared on hundreds recordings, of which many have received awards from the music industry.
He has worked with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Mark Elder, Frans Brüggen
Frans Brüggen
Frans Brüggen is a well-known Dutch conductor, recorder player and baroque flautist.-Biography:Brüggen studied recorder and flute at the Amsterdam Muzieklyceum. He also studied musicology at the University of Amsterdam. In 1955, at the age of 21, he was appointed professor at the Royal...
, Vladimir Jurowski
Vladimir Jurowski
Vladimir Mikhailovich Jurowski is a Russian conductor. He is the son of conductor Mikhail Jurowski.Jurowski began his musical studies at the Moscow Conservatory...
, Edward Gardner
Edward Gardner (conductor)
Edward Gardner is a British conductor.Gardner sang as a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral. As a youth, he played piano, clarinet and organ. He attended the King's School, Gloucester and Eton College. At the University of Cambridge, he continued as a music student, and was a choral scholar in...
, Paul Daniel
Paul Daniel
Paul Daniel CBE is an English conductor. He is particularly noted for performances and recordings of opera and of British music....
and Daniel Harding
Daniel Harding
Daniel Harding is a British conductor.Harding studied trumpet at Chetham's School of Music and was a member of the National Youth Orchestra at age 13. At age 17, Harding assembled a group of musicians to perform Pierrot Lunaire of Arnold Schoenberg, and sent a tape of the performance to Simon...
.
His work has taken him to Australia, Japan, America, South America, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and all the major European cities. He has performed at all the major concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
, Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
(New York), the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City's Upper West Side. Reynold Levy has been its president since 2002.-History and facilities:...
(New York), Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall, Boston
Symphony Hall is a concert hall located at 301 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by McKim, Mead and White, it was built in 1900 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which continues to make the hall its home. The hall was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1999...
(Boston) and Symphony Center
Symphony Center
Symphony Center is a music complex located at 220 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta, Symphony Center includes the 2,522-seat Orchestra Hall, which dates from 1904; Buntrock Hall, a rehearsal and...
(Chicago), Suntory Hall
Suntory Hall
The Suntory Hall is a concert hall complex consisting of the "Main Hall" and the "Small Hall" located in the Ark Hills complex, near the U.S. Embassy and TV Asahi in the Akasaka district of northern Minato, a ward in Tokyo, Japan...
(Tokyo), and all the major European venues. Philip has also performed regularly at London's Southbank Centre, the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, the Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
, annually at Glyndebourne Opera House, the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is a festival of performing arts that takes place in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, over three weeks from around the middle of August. By invitation from the Festival Director, the International Festival brings top class performers of music , theatre, opera...
and other major UK festivals.
Philip has often appeared and played on television, such as the BBC's Millennium Concert from Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and broadcast live on BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
and BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, and more recently, in 2009, Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play that was written by William Shakespeare. It is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta...
' with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is a British period instrument orchestra. The OAE is a resident orchestra of the Southbank Centre, London, associate orchestra at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and has its headquarters at Kings Place...
, also broadcast on BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
. In the summer of 2000 he appeared at three of the BBC's Proms
The Proms
The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in London...
including the concert to commemorate the anniversary of Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
's death which was also broadcast live on BBC Television & BBC Radio 3. He performed during 2000 in concerts as part of the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists
English Baroque Soloists
The English Baroque Soloists is a chamber orchestra playing on period instruments, formed in 1978 by English conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Its repertoire comprises music from the early Baroque period to the Classical period...
.
- "negotiated the concerto-like demands with graceful ease"
- "faultless circumnavigation of the sprightly bassoon part in the aria for alto and tenor"
- "accompanied by what seemed to be the quiet chuckling of divine laughter itself, in the ticklish tongueing of the bassoon"
Musical education
In 1979, Philip came to England to study a preliminary course in music at the Centre for Music and Performing ArtsCentre for Music and Performing Arts
The Centre for Music and Performing Arts is a specialised department of the Colchester Institute. The centre caters to all kinds of performing arts, including classical music, jazz and popular music studies, vocal instruction, acting and musical theatre. The department has been noted as being one...
within the Colchester Institute
Colchester Institute
Colchester Institute is a large provider of further and higher education based in the town of Colchester, and includes the Centre for Music and Performing Arts, Centre for Hospitality and Food Studies, and the Professional Training Centre. Higher Education courses are accredited by the University...
. He went on to study bassoon, under Vernon Elliott, and clarinet at Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
from 1981 to 1985 where he won the Dame Ruth Railton
Ruth Railton
Dame Ruth Railton was a British music director and conductor. She founded the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 1948. She was an adjudicator of the Federation of Music Festivals from 1946-1974.She was one of four daughters and one son, David, born to the Rev...
Prize for Woodwind, the David Toplis Memorial Prize for Woodwind, the Vernon Elliot Prize for Woodwind and the Grace Wylie Prize for Orchestral Playing. Philip was awarded a postgraduate by the Worshipful Company of Musicians
Worshipful Company of Musicians
The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th century, when the centre of music making in London moved from the City to the...
as a research scholar into the 17th and 18th century bassoon.
Professorships and teaching
Philip was appointed professor of bassoon (including historical performance) and wind chamber music at the Trinity College of Music in 2001. He has also held professorships at the Guildhall School of Music and DramaGuildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London and at the University of Surrey
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...
and gives master class
Master class
A master class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, or any of the arts....
es at the Conservatoire de Paris
Conservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance founded in 1795, now situated in the avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France...
and the Conservatoire de Lyon. Philip is also a guest external examiner at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
.
As a teacher, he has worked at the Dartington International Summer School, as a wind coach for the Hampshire Youth Orchestra, as a clarinet tutor for the Essex Youth Orchestras and as a teacher of bassoon, clarinet and saxophone at the Westminster Abbey Choir School
Westminster Abbey Choir School
Westminster Abbey Choir School is a British boarding preparatory school and the only school in the United Kingdom exclusively for the education of boy choristers. It is located in Dean's Yard, by Westminster Abbey...
, the Benenden School
Benenden School
Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls in Kent, England. It is located in Benenden in the Kentish countryside, between Cranbrook and Tenterden....
, the Bexley Music School and for the Inner London Education Authority
Inner London Education Authority
The Inner London Education Authority was the education authority for the 12 inner London boroughs from 1965 until its abolition in 1990.-History:...
.
The Ebony Quartet
Philip is a member of the Ebony Quartet, formed in 1980 whilst the members were all studying in Colchester. The members are:- Graeme Vinall - Clarinet, Eb Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone
- Philip Turbett - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone and Bassoon
- Trevor Barlow - Clarinet, Alto and Baritone Saxophone
- Rodney Smith - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophone
They gained an international reputation as a wind ensemble with unmatched versatility, encompassing music from the 16th century to contemporary works in "serious" and jazz styles. The quartet have travelled extensively throughout the British Isles playing for music societies, festivals, universities and schools. Engagements have included the Purcell Room, St. John's Smith Square and St. David's Hall Cardiff. Amongst the well-known celebrities that the quartet performed for are HRH the Duchess of Kent
Duchess of Kent
The Duchess of Kent is the title given to the wife of the Duke of Kent.Five women have held the title:* Jemima , daughter of Thomas Crewe, 2nd Baron Crewe, first wife of Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent...
, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, David Bellamny and Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
. They appeared on BBC and ITV Television, Radio 3 and Classic FM. The quartet worked for the Yehudi Menuhin "Live Music Now" scheme and performed at the International Clarinet Congresses in Paris and Ghent. They were invited by the British Council to give a series of concerts in Spain.
The Ebony Quartet have wide performing experience in educational surroundings. They give lecture recitals and master classes to young people from ages 5–20. The aim of the concerts is to introduce and demonstrate the instruments of the woodwind family through music from the 16th century to commissioned works by living composers. Their Ebony Quartet's CD "Overtones" features music from Franz Danzi to arrangements on Benny Goodman.
Orchestra management
From 2004 to May 2009, Philip was the orchestra manager at English National OperaEnglish National Opera
English National Opera is an opera company based in London, resident at the London Coliseum in St. Martin's Lane. It is one of the two principal opera companies in London, along with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden...
where he was responsible for the day-to-day running of all aspects of the orchestral music. Philip is currently orchestra manager and bassoonist for English Touring Opera
English Touring Opera
English Touring Opera is an opera company in the United Kingdom. From 1979 to 1992 it was known as Opera 80.- About the company :Opera 80 was founded in 1979 by the Arts Council of Great Britain as the successor to Opera For All; in 1992 the company changed its name to English Touring Opera...
.
In 2006 he was appointed first ever patron to the St. Eugene's Band, Omagh ; a brass and reed band in which Philip played before he went to study in England.
External links
- Philip's website
- Listen to Philip perform Venti turbini from Handel's Rinaldo with the Orchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentOrchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentThe Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is a British period instrument orchestra. The OAE is a resident orchestra of the Southbank Centre, London, associate orchestra at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and has its headquarters at Kings Place...
and David Daniels (YouTube) - Watch Philip perform BWV 179 with the English Baroque SoloistsEnglish Baroque SoloistsThe English Baroque Soloists is a chamber orchestra playing on period instruments, formed in 1978 by English conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Its repertoire comprises music from the early Baroque period to the Classical period...
(YouTube)