Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

:

Choral

 

Edward Wickham is a renowned conductor, musicologist, and singer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1965 in the United Kingdom, Wickham grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer, which inspired him to pursue a career in music. Wickham began his musical education at the University of York, where he studied musicology and choral conducting. He later went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London, where he received a postgraduate diploma in choral conducting. During his time at the Royal College of Music, Wickham was awarded the prestigious Ricordi Conducting Prize, which recognized his exceptional talent and potential as a conductor. After completing his studies, Wickham began his career as a conductor and musicologist, working with some of the most renowned choirs and orchestras in the world. He has conducted the BBC Singers, the Tallis Scholars, and the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, among others. He has also worked with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Academy of Ancient Music, two of the most respected period-instrument orchestras in the world. Wickham is perhaps best known for his work with the vocal ensemble The Clerks' Group, which he founded in 1992. The group specializes in performing early music, particularly music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Under Wickham's leadership, The Clerks' Group has become one of the most respected and innovative early music ensembles in the world. One of the highlights of Wickham's career with The Clerks' Group was their performance of the complete works of Thomas Tallis, which they recorded for the ASV label. The recording was widely praised for its exceptional musicianship and attention to detail, and it helped to establish The Clerks' Group as one of the leading early music ensembles of their time. Wickham has also been recognized for his work as a musicologist, particularly his research into the music of the Renaissance period. He has published several articles and books on the subject, including "Music and Ceremony at the Court of Charles V" and "The Latin Church Music of John Taverner." His research has shed new light on the music of this period and has helped to deepen our understanding of the cultural and historical context in which it was created. In addition to his work as a conductor and musicologist, Wickham is also an accomplished singer. He has performed as a countertenor with several ensembles, including The Tallis Scholars and The Sixteen. His vocal performances have been praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth. Throughout his career, Wickham has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2000, he was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for his recording of the complete works of Thomas Tallis with The Clerks' Group. He has also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the Choc de la Musique, and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, among other honors. Today, Wickham continues to be an active and influential figure in the world of classical music. He is a professor of music at the University of Oxford, where he teaches courses on early music and choral conducting.

More....