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Webb, Hugh (1965-Present)

He is a harpist and composer born in London, England who has been very active as a performer of contemporary music, jazz, pop music, television and film music along with works from all historical eras.

He has worked as a soloist on many occasions and his recognition as a harpist has led to the Arts Council of England funding the composers Javier Alvarez, Ian Dearden and Robert Keely all writing works for him to perform.  He was a soloist at the 100th birthday celebration of Sidonie Goossens where he had the honour of performing the premiere of Celtic Rhapsody by Cyril Scott, which the composer had dedicated to Sidonie.

Working at various events, he has been a performer at the World Harp Congress and the European Harp Symposium at the Three Choirs Festival.

He has working with several ensembles during the course of his career to date and in 2001 he became the Joint Principal Harp of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.

A regular visitor to the recording studio he has appeared on numerous CDs that include Bax: Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Harp and Strings by the Academy of St, Martin’s Chamber Ensemble, Stardom Road by Marc Almond, Onward by Alfie Boe, Burgon: Merciless Beauty by James Bowman, Eden by Sarah Brightman, Strauss: Horn Concertos by The Britten Sinfonia, Thomas Ades: America – a Prophecy by The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Other Conquest by Placido Domingo, As Time Goes By by Bryan Ferry, Chambersax by Kyle Horch & Friends, French Medieval Lays by Joglaresa, Patrick Hawes: Blue Is Blue by the English Chamber Orchestra, Tangence by J.J. Johnson, Travelogue by Joni Mitchell, Jakajan: Music From New Siam by Fong Naam, Janacek: Choral Music by New London Chamber Choir and The Critical Band, Smashing! by Right Said Fred,  Back to Bach with Sally Stocks, Maiden of Mysteries: Music of Enya by the Taliesin Orchestra, Here’s to Life by Joe Turner, Alvarez: PapalotlChild of Light: Music for Christmas and Louis Spohr: Music For Violin and Harp Vol 1.and 2 among countless others. He has also worked on the soundtracks of several films and stage productions that include Emma, Gosford Park, Heidi, The Last September, Miguel y William, Miss Saigon, Never Let Me Go, Quadrille and The Shipping News and been involved with The Yellow Wallpaper – The Opera with Endymion.

As a composer he wrote a children’s show which went on tour in 1998 and proved to be a great success.  He has recently been composing for a children’s production of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson.

In the field of musical education he has been a lecturer at establishments such as the Paris Conservatoire, the Royal Academy of Music and the Sweelinck Conservatoire.  He has also held many masterclasses.

Sources:

  1. http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/players/harps/hugh_webb/
  2. http://www.naxos.com/person/Hugh_Webb/1051.htm
  3. http://www.3choirs.org/2010-gloucester/artists/hugh-webb.html
  4. http://www.cyrilscott.net/Life/Chronolog.html
  5. http://www.guildmusic.com/shop/wbc.php?tpl=produktdetail.html&pid=164
  6. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1082680/
  7. http://www.ywptheopera.com/page4.htm
  8. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hugh-webb-q59728/credits/all
  9. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hugh-webb-p136662/credits