King’s Sutton resident, professional violinist and viola player Chris Windass, was a founding member in 1986 of the acclaimed Adderbury Ensemble, a flexible group of players performing string quartets and expanding on occasion up to the size of a symphony orchestra. The Adderbury Ensemble has an increasingly busy schedule of concerts and recording both in UK and Europe. (In the summer months, the group performs at an annual series of evening concerts at Wren’s beautiful Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford.)
Besides performing himself, Chris also works as an impresario, having started the famous Music in Adderbury concert series in 1987. Most performances take place in the glorious setting of Adderbury Parish Church, a stunning venue that has played host to many of the UK’s most brilliant musicians and chamber ensembles over the years.
Among the world famous groups Chris has introduced to Adderbury audiences are the Guildhall String Ensemble, the Medici String Quartet, the Brodsky String Quartet, the Brindisi String Quartet, the Lyric String Quartet, the Rogeri Trio, the Praga Ensemble, the Schubert Ensemble of London, the Kreisler String Orchestra, and many more. Top soloists performing at Adderbury have included Christopher Warren-Green, Robert Cohen, Bradley Creswick, Andrew Manze, Nigel North, Emily Beynon, Jane Atkins, Sian Edwards, Jonathan Kelly, Carolyn Sampson and Andrew Haveron.
Biographical Note
Chris Windass studied Violin and Viola at Birmingham Conservatoire under Ernest Element, John White and Peter Thomas. While at Birmingham, Chris became a member of the string quartet in residence at the college sponsored by BRMB Radio and gave numerous concerts throughout the country playing in many major festivals. He continued his studies privately with Emmanuel Hurwitz, David Takeno and Manoug Parikian. Chris leads a busy career both as a orchestral player and chamber musician appearing with groups ranging from the Medici and Brodsky string quartets to the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. Chris has always had a passion for chamber music which led him to establish the now famous Oxford Coffee Concert series in the Holywell Music Room on Sunday mornings as well as Music in Adderbury.
Click here for details of the latest Adderbury Ensemble concert season.
Click here for details of the latest Music in Adderbury concert season.
Click here for details of the latest Oxford Coffee Concert season.
Click here to contact Chris Windass by email.