Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Sam Pittis 4am - 7am

    Sam Pittis

    Now Playing

    Miss Melanie Ronald Binge Download 'Miss Melanie' on iTunes

    Miss Melanie artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Lifestyle
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Artists

    Academy of Ancient Music

    • Academy of Ancient Music Home
    • Pictures
    • More Artists

    Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music: a history in pictures

    The late Christopher Hogwood created the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973 with the aim of energising Baroque and Classical music. We take a look back through the ensemble's history.

    1. Christopher Hogwood conductor Academy Ancient Music

      1. Christopher Hogwood

      With the death of the conductor Christopher Hogwood on 24 September 2014, a unique era of British music-making has come to an end. He founded the Early Music Consort with David Munrow in 1967, followed by the Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) in 1973, pioneering the performances of Baroque and early Classical music on period instruments.

    2. Academy of Ancient Music Christopher Hogwood

      2. Founding the Academy of Ancient Music

      Hogwood based his Academy of Ancient Music on an 18th century group. They met at a church in Richmond to record Thomas Arne’s Eight Overtures for Decca’s L’Oiseau Lyre label.

    3. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      3. The 'original' Academy

      Dr Pepusch was a prominent figure in the ‘original’ Academy of Ancient Music, which met for the first time in 1726. 'Ancient' was originally defined as before 1600, but newer composers - including Handel - were included before long. This AAM met at the Crown and Anchor Tavern on The Strand in London, and its last series of subscription concerts came in 1797.

    4. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      4. Academy of Ancient Music in Derbyshire

      Hogwood's ensemble played instruments different from more modern violins. They're played at a slightly lower pitch and use gut strings rather than steel strings. Here they are performing at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire in 1979.

    5. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      5. Recording in the 1980s.

      Throughout the 1980s, Hogwood and the AAM recorded prolifically, including complete cycles of the Beethoven and Mozart symphonies, Handel operas and a recording of 'Messiah'.

    6. Academy of Ancient Music

      6. Jaap Schroder and Christopher Hogwood

      In 1985, violinist Jaap Schroder and Christopher Hogwood celebrated the completion of their Mozart symphony cycle, the first on period instruments. It was proclaimed by Stanley Sadie, editor of the prestigious Grove Dictionary of Music, as “the most important recording venture of the decade.”

    7. Academy of Ancient Music

      7. The Academy of Ancient Music in Italy

      Giving us a glimpse into the rock and roll lifestyle of a touring orchestral musician, Christopher Hogwood and the AAM's double bassist are pictured on tour in Italy in 1985.

    8. Academy of Ancient Music

      8. The Academy of Ancient Music in Hungary

      In 1989, the AAM took a trip back to the home of Haydn, on a musical pilgrimage of sorts. The orchestra are pictured outside Esterhaza Palace, Hungary, the summer residence of Haydn’s patron.

    9. Academy of Ancient Music

      9. The Academy of Ancient Music in Istanbul

      The AAM took their unique period instrument sound around the world on tour, here performing in 1993 in Hagia Eirene in Istanbul.

    10. Academy of Ancient Music

      10. Recording with King's College

      In 1999, Hogwood and the AAM made their first recording with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, marking the beginning of a series of recordings and concerts together. In 2009 the AAM and King’s Choir made the first ever live global choral cinecast, with Handel’s 'Messiah' streamed live into cinemas worldwide.

    11. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      11. Richard Egarr replaces Hogwood at the helm

      In 2006, Richard Egarr was appointed successor to Christopher Hogwood as Music Director. Hogwood assumed the title of its Emeritus Director.

    12. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      12. Handel's Water Music on the Thames

      Where better to perform Handel's Water Music than on the water? Here the AAM are, playing to a flag-waving crowd as part of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.

    13. Academy of Ancient Music's 40th anniversary

      13. Academy of Ancient Music at the Barbican

      Marking 40 years since their humble beginnings, the AAM became Associate Ensemble at London's Barbican in 2013. Since 1973, they've recorded more than 300 CDs, featuring masterworks from Purcell to Mozart and from Bach to Beethoven.

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Google Doodle
    • Quizzes
    • Mozart
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Classic FM Live
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • LBC News
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Florence Price
    • Beethoven
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Saturday Night at the Movies
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Jobs

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2023
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager