Edward Blakeman is researching the life and career of the early music pioneer, David Munrow
Previously Head of Music at BBC Radio 3, Edward studied at the Universities of Lancaster and Birmingham and at the Royal Northern College of Music, pursuing initial research projects with awards from the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the French CNRS.
At BBC Radio 3, Edward was responsible for commissioning and overseeing a wide range of classical, jazz and world music broadcasts and associated programming. He was also involved for many years in the artistic planning and direction of the BBC Proms. He produced and presented music features, documentaries, live relays and recordings of orchestral concerts and operas, including the prize-winning Sounding the Century project, a three-year major retrospective of 20th century music.
Before joining the BBC, Edward was Head of the Woodwind Department at the London College of Music. He held the first Ida Carroll Research Fellowship at the Royal Northern College of Music and awards from the Worshipful Company of Musicians, the British Council and the French CNRS supported his research in Paris on French flute playing styles and repertoire. Edward completed a doctoral thesis on Paul Taffanel, flute player and conductor of the Paris Opera.
Edward is the editor of a range of music editions and author of various books and articles, including Taffanel - Genius of the Flute (OUP, 2005) and The Faber Pocket Guide to Handel (Faber, 2009). A former trustee of Britten Pears Arts, he is a member of the council of the Royal Philharmonic Society, a trustee of the Countess of Munster Trust, and chair of the Hatfield House Music Festival.
Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou