Steve Bingham profile picture

Steve Bingham

About Me

Internationally renowned as a classical violinist, Steve is now making waves with his unique mix of classical and electric solos and loops, in a huge diversity of styles. His debut solo CD "Duplicity" has already been heard on both Radio 3, Classic FM and several local UK radio stations, and his second CD "Ascension", was released in December 2008.

Please note that I don't often update this site. Please visit my main website to be sure of getting up to date information about what I'm doing! www.stevebingham.co.uk
Follow me on Twitter YOU CAN BUY "DUPLICITY" AND "ASCENSION" BY CLICKING HERE!

"Completely uncategorisable...every sound on these 15 tracks - whether high acoustic violin, or low electric fiddle, or percussion sounds on sundry substances - is made by this same extraordinary performer."
Michael Church in The Independent, March 2006
**** stars


Steve writes: "Over the last couple of years my solo work has become a much more major part of my playing. In October 2005 I recorded my first solo CD " Duplicity ". It includes a wide range of pieces from Bach and Piazzolla on acoustic violin, through Hungarian and Norwegian folk tunes, to a superb choral piece by Knut Nystedt, multi-tracked on electric violins. The most ambitious piece is the famous 40-part motet "Spem In Alium" by Thomas Tallis, multi-tracked!
My second solo CD "Ascension" has some guest appearances and includes three live recordings, plus music by Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin, Bartok, Telemann, Pablo Casals and Susato. Another typically eclectic mix!
I'm currently involved in a variety of solo and duo projects including collaborations with violinist Kelly Jones and speaker Jeremy Harmer, and with Jon Anderson , lead singer of "Yes". I've also been collaborating with the excellent jazz flamenco guitarist Jason Carter on guitar and violin duo repertoire.
In my solo concerts I usually play a variety of music from classical unaccompanied works by Bach and Piazzolla, through duets from Telemann to Bartok, alongside multi-tracked improvisations and arrangements using live looping hardware. If you'd like more information on solo gigs, or are interested in arranging a concert, please email me. I'm also interested in colaborating with other bands and musicians, so do get in touch!"
My full CV goes something like this:
Steve Bingham studied violin with Emmanuel Hurwitz, Sidney Griller and the Amadeus Quartet at the Royal Academy of Music from 1981 1985, where he won prizes for orchestral leading and string quartet playing. In 1985 he formed the Bingham String Quartet , an ensemble which has become one of the foremost in the UK, with an enviable reputation for both classical and contemporary repertoire. The Quartet has recorded numerous CDs and has worked for radio and television both in the UK and as far afield as Australia. The group has toured in Europe, the Middle East and Australia and has worked with distinguished musicians such as Jack Brymer, Raphael Wallfisch, Michael Collins and David Campbell. The Quartets educational activities have included residencies at Londons South Bank Centre, for several UK festivals and at Radley College. The Quartet is also known for its many performances of new works by some of the best young composers in Britain.
Steve has appeared as guest leader with many orchestras including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, English National Ballet and English Sinfonia. He has given solo recitals both in the UK and America and his concerto performances include works by Bach, Vivaldi, Bruch, Prokofiev, Mendelssohn and Sibelius, given in venues as prestigious as St. Johns Smith Square and the Royal Albert Hall.
In recent years Steve has developed his interest in improvisation, electronics and World music, collaborating with several notable musicians including guitarist Jason Carter and players such as Sanju Vishnu Sahai (tabla), Baluji Shivastrav (sitar) and Abdullah Ibrahim (piano). He has appeared on two World music CDs with Jason Carter and the fusion group Ragatal. Steve's debut solo CD "Duplicity" was released in November 2005, and his second CD "Ascension" in December 2008.
Steves interests include ornithology, photography and Celtic knotwork.


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 26/04/2006
Band Website: www.stevebingham.co.uk
Band Members: Just me! (along with acoustic and electric violins, recorder, and various pedal boxes and other hardware...)
Influences: Bach, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, minimalism, Terry Riley, Astor Piazzolla, eastern european folk music, Ralph Towner, Sigur Ros, Steve Lawson, Jason Carter, Peter Gabriel, Nick Beggs, Jon Anderson, Yes, Mike Oldfield, Dmitri Shostakovich, Rainbow, Rush, Bobby McFerrin, Bartok, Schoenberg, Kate Bush, Genesis and many more....
Sounds Like: Just me with my violins and lots of looping.It's all instrumental and is an eclectic mix of classical, folk and minimalism, with a touch of rock and some ambient touches.Oh, yes - and Bach!
Record Label: Con Brio
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Ascension

Its finally arrived: Today, after several months of recording and preparation, 1000 copies of my new solo CD Ascension were delivered to my door. Its an exciting feeling to open the first box and...
Posted by on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:18:00 GMT

CD promotion

Delighted this week as I have a record label in the US interested in licensing my Duplicity CD over there. I seem to have played a lot of Mozart this week, coupled with a lot of driving around to gigs...
Posted by on Fri, 05 May 2006 01:01:00 GMT

So I'm going to give the blog a go....

First entry. Sunday morning. I've had a MySpace account for about 4 days now, so just getting to know my way around. Currently I'm spending most of my time either planning new gigs or working on new p...
Posted by on Sun, 30 Apr 2006 01:55:00 GMT