Red Priest
Encyclopedia
Red Priest is a British
Baroque
instrumental group that was formed in 1997, originally with eleven members. Currently it is composed of four performers: Piers Adams
- recorder, Julia Bishop
- violin, Angela East
- cello and Howard Beach
- harpsichord. On 18 January 2011 it was announced that Howard Beach
would leave Red Priest and would be replaced by David Wright. The group is named after the red-haired Italian priest and Baroque composer, Antonio Vivaldi
.
The quartet plays in a flamboyant, theatrical and virtuosic style making use of props, costumes, dramatic lighting and other effects. The pieces they perform are generally their own arrangements, though based very closely on the original music by Vivaldi, Bach, et al.
In addition to touring all over the world, Red Priest are a frequent guest on BBC Radio 3
's In Tune programme. They have released several albums, including a contemporary take on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons
, as well as an album of the programme for their 2009 concert tour: Pirates of the Baroque.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
instrumental group that was formed in 1997, originally with eleven members. Currently it is composed of four performers: Piers Adams
Piers Adams
Piers Adams is a British recorder player and member of baroque group Red Priest.After attending Reading Blue Coat School Adams trained as an astrophysicist, but turned professionally to the recorder at age 21...
- recorder, Julia Bishop
Julia Bishop
Julia Bishop is a leading Baroque violin specialist. She was a member of The English Concert for six years, and has toured the world with most of the UK's leading period instrument orchestras. She has appeared as an orchestral leader and concerto soloist with the Gabrieli Consort, Brandenburg...
- violin, Angela East
Angela East
Angela East is a British cellist and member of baroque group Red Priest.Angela won the Arts Council's Suggia Award at the age of 14 and continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Derek Simpson and later with André Navarra and Christopher Bunting.Angela East is considered to be one of...
- cello and Howard Beach
Howard Beach (harpsichordist)
Howard Beach is a British harpsichord player and previously a member of baroque group Red Priest.Howard has performed and recorded extensively on both harpshichord and piano as a continuo player and concerto soloist...
- harpsichord. On 18 January 2011 it was announced that Howard Beach
Howard Beach (harpsichordist)
Howard Beach is a British harpsichord player and previously a member of baroque group Red Priest.Howard has performed and recorded extensively on both harpshichord and piano as a continuo player and concerto soloist...
would leave Red Priest and would be replaced by David Wright. The group is named after the red-haired Italian priest and Baroque composer, Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
.
The quartet plays in a flamboyant, theatrical and virtuosic style making use of props, costumes, dramatic lighting and other effects. The pieces they perform are generally their own arrangements, though based very closely on the original music by Vivaldi, Bach, et al.
In addition to touring all over the world, Red Priest are a frequent guest on 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...
's In Tune programme. They have released several albums, including a contemporary take on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music. The texture of each concerto is varied, each resembling its respective season...
, as well as an album of the programme for their 2009 concert tour: Pirates of the Baroque.