Kemp English
Dr. Kemp English is one of Australasia’s most versatile concert performers. Much in demand as a collaborative modern pianist, solo organist and specialist fortepiano exponent, he relishes the opportunity to work in a diverse array of styles and periods. His solo CDs Schwammerl, Kemp English at the Fortepiano and the Stormin’ Norma trilogy showcasing the magnificent Dunedin Town Hall organ, have all met with widespread critical acclaim at home and abroad and feature regularly on Radio New Zealand, the ABC, BBC Radio, Classic FM UK and USA radio networks. His modern piano collaborative discs with violin duo partner Robin Wilson (Head of Strings at the Australian National Academy of Music) have been nominated for Classical Disc of the Year, with Melodie appearing on the prestigious Decca label. Kemp enjoyed a distinguished studentship at the Royal Academy of Music in London and later completed a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance from the University of York. In 2001 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of his distinguished performing and teaching career. Four years later, after more than a decade as Executant Lecturer and tutor in piano, organ, fortepiano and harpsichord performance at the University of Otago in New Zealand, he made the decision to free-lance and concentrate on his increasingly hectic performing and recording career. He continues to tour Australasia and Europe as both a solo and collaborative performer. In 2014 he gained a PhD from the University of Adelaide for his groundbreaking Koželuch studies. Naxos are releasing the 12 CD set of recordings which formed part of this research – world première recordings of Koželuch’s 50 solo keyboard sonatas, recorded on a variety of keyboard instruments – on their premium Grand Piano label.