Crispian Steele-Perkins

Crispian Steele-Perkins

Crispian at Salisbury Cathedral
Background information
Birth name Crispian Guy Steele-Perkins
Born 16 December 1944 (1944-12-16) (age 67)
Exeter, Devon
United Kingdom
Genres Classical,
Occupations Musician, Professor
Instruments Trumpet
Years active 1964 - Current
Labels Independent
Associated acts Retrospect Ensemble
Website Crispian Steele-Perkins Official website

Crispian Steele-Perkins is an internationally acclaimed classical trumpeter who was educated at Copthorne Preparatory School, Marlborough College and the Guildhall School of Music.

Contents

Personal life

Crispian lives in Dorking, Surrey and is the father of Emma, Kate and Guy. He is also grandfather to William and Ben Mitchell and Isabelle and Zoe Jinadu. In 1961, he married Angela Helen Hall (d. 1991), and in 1995 he married Jane Elizabeth Mary Steele-Perkins.

Career

Crispian picked up his first trumpet at the age of ten and progressed so quickly that just 6 years later he was playing with the English National Youth Orchestra. On graduating from the Guildhall School of Music, Crispian began his professional career with the Sadler's Wells Theatre (ENO) 1966-73, before performing with the London Gabrielli Brass Ensemble 1974-84, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 1976-80, English Baroque Soloists 1980-91, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, The King's Consort, 1985–2009, and Retrospect Ensemble, 2009–present.

Crispian's purity of tone and artistic subtlety have received critical acclaim for more than four decades now. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he played a key role in the growth of historically-aware trumpet playing, using a collection of more than 100 pre-1900 mechanised and 'natural' trumpets to bring a brighter, clearer sound to baroque performances. In 2004, Crispian received the Monk Award for his significant and lifelong contribution to the field of early brass music.

In addition to his work with classical orchestras and period instruments, Crispian has developed a body of television and film work which is universally recognisable today - most famously he played the theme tune to the popular British television programme Antiques Roadshow, the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only and the The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Crispian has also accompanied some of the world's greatest singers, recording Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" with Dame Kiri te Kanawa and "Eternal Source of Light Divine" with James Bowman. His more recent performances alongside Emma Kirkby, Lynn Dawson, Carolyn Sampson, Bryn Terfel and Lesley Garrett have cemented his international reputation as one of classical music's great ambassadors.

Well-known for his enthusiasm and wit, Crispian is also a popular presenter giving recitals, lectures and masterclasses at schools, colleges and music venues around the world. He also provides advice and guidance when called upon by today's up-and-coming trumpeting talent.

Selected recordings

References

Awards

Published works

External links