Christopher Redgate (b 1956) – Biographical Details

Since his time as a student at the Royal Academy of Music, Chris  has specialised in the performance of contemporary oboe music. He has been described as having ‘extraordinary exploratory technical brilliance’ (Music Web) and of being a 'tireless champion' of extended techniques (Double Reed Magazine). This specialisation has inspired many composers to write for him (examples include Michael Finnissy, Roger Redgate, Christopher Fox, James Clarke, Paul Archbold, Michael Young, Fabrice Fitch and David Gorton and Joe Cutler) and as a result he has given premiere performances of a great number of works. He is also active in commissioning and frequently performs works by younger composers.

His performing career has taken him all over the world and as a soloist, or in ensembles; he has performed in most European countries, Scandinavia, Australia, America, Canada, Mexico and China. He has worked with many ensembles including Exposé, Suoraan, Trio Krosta, Kreutzer Quartet, Firebird Ensemble, Music Projects/London, Lontano, Ensemble Modern, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Ixion, Apartment House and Topologies.

He has been active as a teacher both of oboe and in workshops for composers. From 1986 to 1992 he was the oboe teacher at the International New Music Course in Darmstadt. Recent teaching events have included oboe classes at the Royal Academy of Music (oboe class and research presentations), Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, The Royal Welsh College of Music, Kingston University and Trinity College of Music.

Composition workshops (writing for oboe) have been presented at Kings College London, Huddersfield University, Goldsmith’s College, Kingston University, and Birmingham Conservatoire and in workshops run by the SPNM and the BMIC.

He broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio Three and has several solo CDs. The most recent being Oboe+ :Berio and beyond on the Oboe Classics label (Berio, Redgate, Finnissy, Young, Hayden), Lost Lands (The music of Michael Finnissy) on the Metier Label, and Pasculli: the Paganini of the oboe also on the Oboe Classics Label.

He has recently contributed three articles to an edition of Contemporary Music Review and is working on a book on the interpretation of contemporary oboe music and contributing a chapter in a new book on the music of Michael Finnissy.

His performances frequently include the use of electronics and especially of the lap top computer and for many years now he has been including improvisation as a significant part of his recitals.

Chris studied at Chethams' School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music where Richard Morgan and Evelyn Barbirolli taught him. During his time at the Royal Academy he won a several prizes and represented the Academy in a number of concerto performances. A number of prizes in international competitions marked the beginning of his professional performing career.