Neat and relaxed, deep and rich tone
Fragrant and overflowing elegance
- from criticism
"Elegant rhythms and soft tones. Tumbling, softly relaxing expressions. The ups and downs of stillness and movement that come and go are very natural and make the listener happy."
(Musica Nova)
"He was both rigorous and free, meticulous and passionate down to the smallest detail in his most sensational parts."
(Sunday Times/Schubert Sonata Cycles)
"Cooper created a piano tone that layered a strong mental power on a clear and beautiful sound."
(New York Times/Mostly Mozart)
"Is there any greater pleasure than listening to her elegant Schubert?"
(Memorial concert at The Times/Barbican)
“Mozart with Colin Davis: The Piano Concerto K.450 was full of charm, like a bird flying down from a tree.”
(Independent Paper/BBC Proms)
- profile
Imogen Cooper
Born in London. From the age of 12, he studied under Jacques Fablier and Yvonne Lefebvre at the National Conservatory of Music in Paris. In 1984, he made his American debut in collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Kurt Sanderling and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In the summer he performed with Neville Marriner at the Mostly Mozart Festival. In 1985, he had great success with Schubert Cycles in London and other parts of Europe. He toured the London Symphony Orchestra under Harding, performed at the BBC Proms with the New York Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra under Eschenbach, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Elder. Highly acclaimed in contemporary music, in 1996 he premiered many of Brett Dean's quintets with members of the Berliner Philharmoniker. He is also highly rated as a song accompaniment, and has been trusted by Wolfgang Holzmaier for many years. His CDs are also highly rated, and his recital series "Schubert Live" in London has received particularly high praise. In 2007, she was awarded a CBE of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2008, she was also awarded an award by the Royal Philharmonic Society, and is active as a female pianist representing Britain.