Claire Duff

Mezzo Masterpieces

Biography

Internationally renowned baroque violinist Claire Duff is in demand as soloist, chamber musician, leader and director. Her ‘stylish solo violin playing’ (Gramophone) has been described as having ‘all the excitement of a high-wire act’ (The Irish Times). In 2016 she was elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London (ARAM) for her significant contribution to the music profession. Claire is leader of the Irish Baroque Orchestra with which she regularly performs as soloist and often as director, to critical acclaim. She has led Florilegium, I Fagiolini, English Touring Opera, The Kings Consort and Camerata Kilkenny and co-led the Academy of Ancient Music and The English Concert. Claire has an extensive discography, including a highly acclaimed CD of Bach’s Double Violin Concerto with Monica Huggett and IBO. Claire is passionate about baroque music and is a fervent exponent of period instrument performance. She is Artistic Director of the Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra and teacher of baroque violin at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Claire often has solo works composed for her and last year she performed a Jane O’Leary Fantasia as part of a Music Network Bach recital tour with the award-winning French harpsichordist, Benjamin Alard, and a piece for modern and baroque violin composed by Sam Perkins and performed with Diane Hunka as part of the Killaloe Chamber Music Festival.

October 2020