Annabel Thwaite

Recognised as one of the most versatile and charismatic pianists, Annabel has won all the major accompanying prizes, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier, Gold Medal, and Richard Tauber Piano Prizes. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, David Kempster, “Only Men Aloud!, the Michael Clark Company and Ensemble Midtvest.

As a Soloist, Chamber musician and regularly collaborating with Sir Bryn Terfel, she has toured and performed in many countries,  including the USA at Carnegie Hall and Queens College, Walter Hall and Koerner Hall in Canada, France, Italy, Sweden and Slovenia, and in England, concertos at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and Imperial College, London. As a duo, both with instrumentalists and singers, she has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Hall, Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, and the Machnylleth, Oxford and Leeds Lieder Festivals.

Annabel’s discography includes The Scottish Tenor for Universal Records, which was nominated for a Classical Brit Award, a world premiere recording of music by Hilary Tann, a disc of romantic violin and piano works with Matthew Jones, and the complete Violin and Viola works of Benjamin Britten for Naxos, named Chamber CD of the Month by BBC Music Magazine. As a film session pianist, she has recorded the music for the Hollywood movie Awake, the BBC Jane Austen series Emma, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister and the Spanish film De tu Ventana. Four times the accompanist for the Festival of Welsh Male Voice Choirs, her performances at the Royal Albert Hall were recorded and released by Sainand have been aired on UK television. Further TV appearances include Blue Peter, The Rob Brydon Show and a documentary following a day in the life of Bryn Terfel for BBC 4.

Annabel’s extensive teaching experience includes being Director of the Core Courses at the Pro Corda International Chamber Music Academy, adjudicating at numerous festivals and competitions, including the National Chamber Music Festival for Schools. In addition to being an Associated Board Music examiner, Annabel is extremely committed to outreach projects, having been a member of the “Live Music Now!” and “Lost Chord” schemes.

Annabel studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Senior professor Joan Havill, and also at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse, Paris. She was the recipient of numerous scholarships including the MBF award for accompanists, and an English Speaking Union scholarship to study at the Ravel Académie, Franz Schubert Institute, Fondations de Royaumont and Académie Villecroze, France. In addition to all her performing, Annabel is also a qualified Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher and gives classes and workshops specializing in the benefits of yoga for musicians at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and other musical institutions and international festivals.

Future engagements include a recitals with Sir Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone in Carnegie Hall, New York, The Kennedy Centre, Washington and Hamburg Opera House.