Murray McLachlan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Murray McLachlan (born 6th January, 1965), is one of Britain's leading concert pianists. His performances have consistently received outstanding critical acclaim for intelligent and sensitive interpretations, and superb technical ability. His prolific discography has received long-standing international recognition and includes over thirty commercial recordings on the Olympia, Linn, Divineart, Claremont and Redbrook labels.
His repertoire includes over 40 concertos and he has appeared as concerto soloist with many leading UK orchestras. He gave the last concerto performance of the 20th century in the Royal Albert Hall when he played Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue at the 'Millennium Proms' with the BBC Concert Orchestra under Christopher Warren-Green. During the 2000-2001 season he will make his debut as a conductor when he directs the Mozart Festival Orchestra on a national tour of 18 concerts, including appearances at the Barbican, Bridgewater Hall, Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
His recognition has been far-reaching, bringing many invitations to perform abroad, and his engagements include recitals in the USA, Scandinavia and South Africa, as well as tours of the Soviet Union, Germany, Belgium, Holland and the Far East. In 1997 he was awarded a knighthood by the Order of St John of Jerusalem in recognition of his services to music in Malta.
In the performance of Russian music, Murray's technique and understanding is unrivalled whilst his recorded cycles of Prokofiev, Kabalevsky, Khachaturian and the lesser Tcherepnin, Vainberg and Myaskovsky have received outstanding reviews. His discography also embraces rarities such as music by MacCunn and a concerto based on sketches left by Grieg for a second piano concerto. Most recently his cross-over album with internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Tommy Smith received widespread critical acclaim.
Murray McLachlan's skill and versatility extends throughout the classical repertoire and he has delighted the public and press with performances of all twenty four Chopin etudes, the complete Beethoven sonatas and the complete works of Brahms. During the 1997-98 season he undertook a series of fifty Chopin recitals featuring the four Ballades in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Fund's Golden Jubilee. He has given tours for North West Arts, the Scottish Arts Council and the British Council. Broadcasts include recitals, concertos and chamber music for the BBC as well as Classic FM, and recordings of Russian repertoire for Dutch and Belorussian television.
He is a tireless advocate of contemporary music. He has given first performances of works by many composers, including Jeremy Thurlow, Ronald Stevenson, Charles Cammilleri, Michael Parkin and even Beethoven. His recording of John McLeod's Piano Music was selected as 'Record of the Week' in the Herald and his recording of 'Piano Music from Scotland' was awarded a rosette in the Penguin Guide to Compact Discs.
As Head of Keyboard at Chetham's, Murray is also a committed teacher and regularly gives masterclasses around the UK.
