Fenella Humphreys

Fenella Humphreys
Born1977 or 1978 (age 45–46)
London, England
GenresClassical, Contemporary Classical
Instrument(s)Violin
Websitefenellahumphreys.com
Musical artist

Fenella Humphreys is a British classical violinist[1] who specialises in classical and contemporary repertoire[2] as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Career and education

Born 1977 or 1978 (age 45–46),[3][4] she studied under Sidney Griller, Itzhak Rashkovsky, Ida Bieler and David Takeno at the Purcell School, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule in Düsseldorf.[5]

A number of eminent composers have written works for Humphreys, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies,[6] Sally Beamish,[7] Cheryl Frances-Hoad,[8] Gordon Crosse,[9] Adrian Sutton and Piers Hellawell.[10] She performs standard repertoire and contemporary violin concertos including Thomas Adès's Concentric Paths, Pēteris Vasks's Vientuļais eņģelis (Lonely Angel) and Max Richter's Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, which she recorded in 2019 for Rubicon Classics.[11]

Her recording of Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Humoresques with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales was released in 2021.[12] In the same year, she released sheet music of a number of her own arrangements for violin that she performed during the covid lockdown.[13]

She plays a violin from the circle of Peter Guarneri of Venice.[5]

Award

In 2018, Humphreys won the BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Award for her solo CD Bach 2 the Future, vol.II.[14] In 2023, she went on to win the Premiere Award for her album Caprices.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Fenella Humphreys : Violinist". Fenellahumphreys.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  2. ^ "Rubicon Classics". rubiconclassics.com. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  3. ^ "They're Singing Fellena's Song". The Evening Standard. 1991-05-02. p. 23. A 13-year-old girl is to have her song sung by a choir of 100 children at the Royal Festival Hall on May 11.
  4. ^ Downes, Sam (1994-10-06). "The First Noel". Pinner Observer. p. 79. 'You should've seen his face. He was amazed,' said 16-year-old violinist Fenella.
  5. ^ a b "Fenella Humphreys : Violinist - about". Fenellahumphreys.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  6. ^ "Peter Maxwell Davies: Sonatina For Violin Alone: Violin". Musicroom.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  7. ^ "Intrada e Fuga". Sally-beamish. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  8. ^ "Cheryl Frances-Hoad: Suite No 1: Violin". Musicroom.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  9. ^ "Orkney Dreaming". Gordon Crosse - composer. 2017-02-25. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  10. ^ "Balcony Scenes". Editionpeters.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  11. ^ "Rubicon Classics". Rubiconclassics.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  12. ^ "Reson Classicsus". Resonusclassics.com. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  13. ^ "Music for Violin - arranged by Fenella Humphreys". Roundrevue.com. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Winners of BBC Music Magazine Awards 2018 announced". Classical-music.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  15. ^ "BBC Music Awards 2023 winners announced". Classical Music. Retrieved 2023-07-07.