Principal second in the most significant new British chamber orchestra in a generation and associate artistic director for one of the UK’s fastest-rising top-quality classical music festivals, there are very many more strings to Jamie Campbell’s bow than simply being a violin player.
Described as “one of the finest young British musicians to have emerged in recent years” (Musical Opinion), Jamie has a busy career as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral leader and principal and has graced some of the world’s finest classical stages.
It is a true triumph for southern Scotland, therefore, to bring a musician of such extraordinary quality to Dumfries and Galloway and he comes to the region to give three concerts as part of the Absolute Classics’ January series.
The London-based violinist read music at Cambridge before continuing his studies in Vienna, London and Madrid.
Since then, he has risen swiftly through the ranks of musicians of rare excellence to become a founder and leader of the Solstice Quartet; principal second violin in the Aurora Orchestra; and holds the position of No 3, 1st with the English Chamber Orchestra.
His awards have included the Allcard Award from the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Ian Fleming Scholarship from the Musicians Benevolent Fund.
He has appeared as guest leader of the London Sinfonietta and led the Dmitri Ensemble in their recording for Naxos of MacMillan’s Seven Last Words.
Jamie has premiered works by composers including Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, NicoMuhly and Giles Swayne.
As a soloist he has appeared regularly with the pianist Simon Lane and his concerto performances have included the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto under Robin Ticciati.
Jamie plays a violin by Stradivari from 1727, on loan from the Royal Academy of Music.
Accompanying Jamie on piano is Steinway artist Simon Callaghan.
Simon is no stranger to the region, having accompanied musicians as well as playing solo concerts for Absolute Classics over the years.
He is recognised as an exciting performer of the new generation and has appeared at the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Symphony Hall, Philharmonic Hall, and St David’s Hall. His engagements have taken him all over the UK, throughout Europe and to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. He has also broadcast on BBC Radio 3, ITV and BBC Television.
Simon is a founder member of the Werther Ensemble, brought together at the inaugural Whittington International Chamber Music Festival 2013.
Jamie Campbell, violin, and Simon Callaghan ( Main Photo), piano, will perform first on Thursday, 21 January, at the Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, at 7.30pm. The programme will include music from Beethoven, Ravel and Strauss.
On Friday, 22 January, the pair will move to the CatStrand, New Galloway, at 7.30pm to perform a programme with music by Schumann, Poulenc and Fauré.
Finally,on Sunday, 24 January, at 3.30pm, Jamie and Simon will give an afternoon performance at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel, Thornhill, where the programme will include music by Schumann, Poulenc and Fauré.
Tickets may be booked in advance from www.absoluteclassics.co.uk
