Alison Balsom

Alison Balsom was named Gramophone Artist of the Year 2013, a three-time recipient of the Echo Klassik Award in Germany, and also three-time recipient at the Classic BRIT awards, two of which as Female Artist of the Year, and has received a Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award. She has performed with some of the greatest conductors and orchestras of our time including Pierre Boulez, Lorin Maazel, Sir Roger Norrington, l’Orchestre de Paris, Philharmonia, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia and London Philharmonic orchestras, and appeared as soloist at the Last Night of the BBC Proms in 2009. In addition, she regularly collaborates with many of the world’s leading chamber ensembles.

In 2013 Alison conceived and then became creative producer and protagonist of the critically acclaimed production Gabriel at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Alison has recently given a TED talk, entitled ‘Music as a Healer’ and a lecture at Somerville College, Oxford University on ‘Women in the Arts’. Alison is a passionate advocate of the importance of music education and is an ambassador for the BBC Ten Pieces project.

Alison is constantly exploring the boundaries of her instrument and has had numerous concertos written for her. She recently gave the World Premiere of Guy Barker’s ‘Lanterne of Light’ at the BBC Proms and also includes Bramwell Tovey’s ‘Songs of the Paradise Saloon’ and Qigang-Chen’s ‘Joie Eternelle’ amongst her repertoire. Highlights of the 15/16 season include the Dutch Premiere of Qigang-Chen’s concerto with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, concerto performances with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Munich Philharmonic, Lucerne Festival Strings, BBC Scottish Symphony and the Dresden Philharmonic as well as an extensive European tour with the Basel Kammerorchester.

Alison was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, subsequently leading to regular performances with all of the BBC Orchestras. She studied at the Paris Conservatoire, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is now an honorary Fellow and visiting Professor at the Guildhall, and has received an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Leicester. Alison teaches masterclasses worldwide, including at the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute.

Alison has been recorded exclusively with EMI Classics (now Warner Classics) since 2001.