Andrew Ball

Andrew Ball (b. 1950) studied with Kendall Taylor at the Royal College of Music and took a First in music at Queen’s College, Oxford. Regarded as one of the foremost British pianists of his generation, a busy career took him all over the world. He had a reputation for innovative and imaginative programmes, and chamber music and contemporary music always played a large part in his repertoire. He has given countless premieres (including the first British performance of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Piano Sonata at the Bath Festival), made his Proms debut playing Messiaen and studied Tippett’s sonatas with the composer. Ives and Busoni are also special interests.

He played with the Nash Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Villiers Piano Quartet and Gemini and has had a successful duo with Madeleine Mitchell since 1992. Many acclaimed CDs range from the complete Tippett song-cycles and vocal and choral music of Lili Boulanger with Martyn Hill for Hyperion, to Billy Mayerl’s works for piano and orchestra. He appeared at the Aldeburgh Festival playing two-piano music with Rolf Hind and has played in Stravinsky’s ‘Les Noces’ for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and with the LSO and Gergiev at the Barbican.

Formerly a sought-after teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Andrew Ball was Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music from 1999 to 2005. He was made a Fellow in 2006. He regularly gave masterclasses, including Berlin, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

Andrew retired from performing in 2012  when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and passed away on July 10, 2022