Howard Beach
Howard Beach’s uniquely wide-ranging style of keyboard playing has been developed through years of partnering fine musicians in many different fields of music, including as an accomplished and characterful vocal accompanist. Between 1988 and 2000 he played for many prizewinning singers in international competitions and concerts, including winners of the Kathleen Ferrier competition, the Richard Tauber prize and the NFMS award. During this time he also performed and recorded as a concerto soloist and continuo player with Les Arts Florissants, the Apollo Chamber Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, and was consultant and performer on Channel 4 TV opera and documentary projects.
For a decade from 2000-2010 Howard was the harpsichordist of the iconic baroque quartet Red Priest, recording four acclaimed CDs, touring the world and appearing on radio and TV - including the South Bank Show, for which occasion he fashioned some noteworthy facial topiary.
Since leaving Red Priest Howard has pursued an eclectic career, working as accompanist, repetiteur, teacher, massage therapist and, for some time, a ‘Senior Perfume Specialist’ in Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. He was also for several years a tenor soloist at the iconic St Bartholomew's church in Brighton. His concert and recording activities have continued, in particular with his trio ‘Purcell’s Muse’, with ex-Red Priest violinist Julia Bishop and soprano Ana Maria Rincon. They have just recorded their first programme, of music by Handel, Bach and Purcell. Howard is also pianist for two other choirs, The New Sussex Singers, an SATB chamber choir and The Fletching Singers, a larger mixed choir.