George Clifford graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a BMus (First Class Honours) in Performance (violin) in 2009 and went on to study for an MA in baroque violin, achieving a distinction and the prestigious DipRAM for an outstanding final recital in 2011.

 

At the RAM George studied modern violin with Igor Petrushevski, and baroque violin with Simon Standage and Matthew Truscott. He also worked alongside leading performers in the field of early music including Rachel Podger, Laurence Cummings and Margaret Faultless and notable conductors such as Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Trevor Pinnock and the Late Sir Charles Mackerras. George took part in the RAM/Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata series from its inception in 2009, playing 2-3 cantatas once a month under the direction of Iain Ledingham. In his final term at the RAM George won the Nancy Nuttall Early Music Prize, playing the trio sonata from Bach’s Musical Offering.

 

George now works extensively with many ensembles including the English Concert, The Academy of Ancient Music, The Mozartists (formerly Classical Opera), the Hanover Band, Early Opera Company, La Nuova Musica, Solomon's Knot and the Brook Street Band. George's career has taken him on tours in Europe, the USA, the Far East and South East Asia, as well as all over the United Kingdom.

 

After participating in the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s ‘OAE Experience’ scheme in 2011 George has continued to perform with the orchestra. Highlights include several Glyndebourne Festival Opera appearances, the first ever period instrument performance of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony under Vladimir Jurowski and a tour of South Korea and China performing Handel and Telemann with tenor Ian Bostridge in 2016.

 

In 2013 George released the album ‘Ravishing Sweetenesse’ with record label Veterum Musica, featuring solo violin music by Baltzar, Biber, Westhoff, Telemann and Pisendel. George's playing (and singing) can also be heard on several Veterum Musica albums with the chamber ensemble Poeticall Musicke.

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The Amadè Players' album 'Forgotten Vienna' features George as a soloist, playing Waṅhal's violin concerto in Bb major and Ditters' Concerto in C for two violins.

His next solo recording 'When in Rome', an album of little known Roman baroque sonatas with Alex McCartney on theorbo is currently in production and due to be released imminently.

 

A versatile musician, George actively supports and promotes local music. He is Musical Director of vocal ensemble Cantu Amici, and as an accomplished choral singer he sings with several chamber choirs around the country. He is also leader and fixer of Meridian Ensemble, a period instrument ensemble which accompanies choirs in the Kent and Sussex area.

 

During the Coronavirus lockdowns, the music industry was put on hold and there were many cancellations. George kept busy by recording videos on Acapella App, and also putting together some virtual choir performances with Cantu Amici and other local choirs. You can find a link to George's YouTube channel on the videos page.

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George is looking forward to resuming normal musical activities, having already performed Handel's Amadigi at Garsington Opera's Summer festival with the English Concert and been on tour to Spain with the Academy of Ancient Music. In the Autumn George will be leading Solomon's Knot in concerts in England and Germany, and playing in English Touring Opera's production of Amadigi.

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George is extremely grateful to Ms. Hilary Weston for her generous financial support during his Masters course, and for the purchase of his baroque violin and bows.