Alexander Rider

These include the BBC Concert, Philharmonic and Scottish Symphony Orchestras, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, London Chamber Orchestra, English Touring Opera, Brighton Philharmonic, Chroma and (on the Erard) he appears with groups including the Gabrieli Consort and the Academy of Ancient Music.

Alexander is noted for his affinity with French music at the turn of the last century, and for his work on original instruments of the period. He has conducted extensive research into the music and players of the time, delving into rich and often hidden histories. Audiences have been delighted by Alexander’s erudition, wit and eye for fascinating detail. In this vein, and using a French Erard harp built in 1902, Alexander has given numerous lecture recitals to great acclaim, at the 2022 World Harp Congress in Cardiff, for the Franz Liszt Academy of Music (Budapest), at the Espace Camac (Paris), the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Harp on Wight Festival. Alexander is delighted to have recorded Fresque Marine, a disc of rare French works for the harp, part of a new series for the Willowhayne label.

Alexander studied with Gabriella Dall’Olio and Frances Kelly, and was then a scholarship student of Imogen Barford at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. From here, he graduated with distinction, and was subsequently honoured with a Guildhall Artists’ fellowship.