When, where and what did you play the first time with the English Concert?
I did a successful extra work audition in 2008 however the first really memorable concert I did was in August 2009 playing Handel Samson at the BBC proms with Harry Bicket.
What has been your most memorable TEC concert and why?
One of the most memorable concerts recently was the Bach B minor Mass with Kristian Bezuidenhout at Bath Abbey in February 2025.
It’s one of my absolute favourite pieces and have played it many times in my career but because of the very small forces and layout of the choir with the altos directly behind the second violins, there was such a beautiful sense of unity on our line in this performance.
The clarity of their text informed our line in a way I had never previously heard at times. All this was brought out in such a sensitive and inspiring way by Kristian.
What is your favourite venue or location where you’ve performed with The English Concert?
I always look forward to performing at Carnegie Hall in New York. I have very fond memories of the occasion I was called to the stage in the interval of our Alcina performance to be offered membership of the orchestra! It’s always the highlight of our annual US tour as they make us feel so welcome and appreciated there.
Is there anything about you that would surprise people?
Unusually, I’ve never really aspired to become a leader of an orchestra but rather the most supportive team player. I take real pleasure in this and love the challenge of adapting my playing to suit the different leading styles.
I delight in the feeling of oneness that can be achieved when everyone on stage is present and experiencing the same emotional connection to the music.
Biography
Liz has become a highly valued part of the UK’s early music scene. She is a core player of both The English Concert and the Academy of Ancient Music and regularly plays with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, English Baroque Soloists, Florilegium, The Mozartists and La Nuova Musica.
Liz has performed concertos with The Feinstein Ensemble and the Brandenburg Baroque Soloists and is the co-founder of the baroque chamber music ensemble “Gut Instinct”.
A passionate educator, Liz is a violin tutor and chamber music coach at the Dragon School in Oxford.