Christopher Hogwood (1941-2014)

The English conductor and harpsichordist has died aged 73

Published: September 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

English conductor and harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood has died at the age of 73.

A hugely influential figure in early music performance, Hogwood founded the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973, with which he toured extensively and made over 200 recordings, including of the first ever complete cycle of Mozart Symphonies on period instruments.

Music director of the AAM, Richard Egarr said: ‘I am deeply saddened by the news of Christopher’s passing. He provided a fantastic legacy for me to build upon when I joined as music director in 2006 and I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.’

Equally passionate about music of the 19th and 20th centuries, Hogwood held posts with the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra (chief guest conductor – 2011-2014), the Handel and Haydn Society (conductor laureate – 2001-2014), Basel Chamber Orchestra (principal guest conductor – 2000-2006) and the Beethoven Academie, Antwerp (associate director, 1998-2002).

He was a keyboard player and soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields from 1965-1976 and a founder member of The Early Music Consort of London.

Hogwood was artistic director of King's Lynn Festival from 1976 to 1980 and artistic director of National Symphony Orchestra of USA's Mozart Summer Festival from 1993 to 2001.

He was made honorary professor of music at Cambridge University in 2002 and was emeritus honorary professor from 2008 to 2014. He was awarded for his outstanding contribution to music by the Royal College of Music in 2013.

Christopher Purvis, honorary president of the AAM, commented: ‘Christopher had extraordinary generosity of spirit. He was a great ambassador for historically informed music, the movement of which he was a founder. And he was happy to see the orchestra he founded develop and grow after he stepped down as director.’

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