Guitar Music from the Time of Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Taro Takeuchi

Taro Takeuchi was born in Kyoto, Japan. After completing his degrees in law and music in Tokyo, he studied early music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He now lives in London and he has been in great demand as a soloist and ensemble player. Taro has toured most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, the USA and Japan. As a continuo player he has worked with The English Concert, The Royal Opera House, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Berlin Philharmonic, as well as Sir Simon Rattle, Rachel Podger and Nigel Kennedy. He has made numerous recordings for Deux-Elles, EMI, Hyperion Records, Harmonia Mundi, the BBC and others. His solo recordings ‘Folias!, The Century That Shaped the Guitar’ and’ Affectuoso: Virtuoso Guitar Music from the 18th Century’ were received with critical acclaim and high praise.

Sophia Brumfitt

Sophia Brumfitt started singing in the South Wilts Girls Grammar School A Capella Choir where she first discovered her love of Early Choral Church Music.  She continued her studies at Dartington College of Arts, Lancaster University, ENO and The Royal College of Music.  Since then her studies have continued under Mary King, Nigel Rogers, Emma Kirkby, Eric Mentzel, Gabriel Garrido and now continues with Jessica Cash.

In addition to her close association with Medieval Ensemble Bardos Band and her own projects; Maiden in the Moor with medieval harpist Leah Stuttard, Rosa Mundi with Australian Lutenist Rosemary Hodgson, and researching Restoration Theatre songs in the programme Songs for Mary Hodgson, she is keen to apply her music to other genres.  In recent years, these have included dance projects for Julia Pond Dance and baroque dance Mercurius Company, in costumed concerts with Daughters of Elvin and live improvisation with visual artist in residence Dr. Helen Scalway at St. George’s, Esher.  More recent work as guest soloist has included J.S. Bach, Bmin Mass and Monteverdi 1610 Vespers.