The conductor directed the ensemble for 30 years, making 200 recordings

ChristopherHogwood

Conductor and founder of the Academy of Ancient Music Christopher Hogwood died yesterday at the age of 73 following an illness lasting several months. A musicologist, keyboard player and Cambridge University graduate, Hogwood was a highly influential voice in the historically informed early music movement, but also devoted himself to music of the 19th and 20th centuries.

He founded the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973 and directed the period ensemble for 30 years, making over 200 recordings, including the first complete cycle of Mozart symphonies on period instruments.

He was also a founder member of the Early Music Consort and keyboard player and soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, artistic director of the King’s Lynn Festival, artistic director of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, a tutor at Harvard University, principal guest conductor of the Kammerorchester Basel, honorary professor of music at the University of Cambridge and Andrew D.White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University in the USA.

‘I am deeply saddened by the news of Christopher’s passing,’ said current AAM music director Richard Egarr. ‘Christopher provided a fantastic legacy for me to build upon when I joined as music director in 2006 and I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.’

Photo: Marco Borggreve

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