Andrew Bernardi
Biography
Andrew is the founder and director of the Bernardi Music Group. The music group encompasses string quartet, an ensemble and up to full symphony orchestra. The group also manages the Shipley Arts Festival and has it’s own record label with production team.
Andrew Bernardi graduated from Leeds University before studying violin under Malcolm Layfield’s direction. John Ludlow Hugh Bean CBE and Francis Mason have also subsequently helped Andrew develop as a violinist. After winning the lebel postgraduate scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music Andrew entered the music profession where has has been in demand as an exceptionally versatile violinist. He performs with orchestras including the Guildford Philharmonic and London Concert Orchestra. He has become involved in commercial music making as a session musician with groups such as the BBC Big Band and also within Raymond Gubbay’s hugely successful popular classical concert series including annual perfromances in the Royal Albert Hall.
Andrew has performed recorded and broadcast sound tracks with artists as varied Nigel Kennedy, Natalie Cole and the late Lord Menuhin, as well as being asked to play on several sound tracks including the sequel to ‘Talented Mr Ripley.’ Andrew has recently appeared in Nanny McPhee, and the film ‘Pride and Prejudice.‘ Andrew has broadcast on BBC with Katrin Finch, and is currently working with Jon Lord (former Deep purple keyboard player) in preparation for an eclectic performance of ‘To Notice Such Things’ which Andrew commissioned in 2009 through Shipley Arts Festival.
Andrew believes passionately in the importance of working with Young musicians and this interest has lead him to teach at Trinty College of Music (jd). He regularly conducts a number of Youth Orchestras. He is also founder and Artistic Director of Shipley Arts Festival where he has commissioned over twenty new works which reflect the locality with composers as varied as Malcolm Singer, Cecilia McDowall and Jon Lord. He has been asked to appear in the ‘Who’s Who,’ of International Music.
Andrew plays on a Claude Pieret violin c.1700 and a fine bow by Voirin formerly owned by the late Lord Menuhin. Andrew’s great passions are music, sailing, architecture, and classic performance automobiles. www.BMGLive.com
Andrew is a Tutor and Lecturer on Violin & Viola techniques at Trinity College of Music.
Orchestral Work
Since October 2003, Andrew has been booked by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bernardi Chamber Ensemble, Chameleon Arts Orchestra, Charivari Agreable, City of London Chamber Orchestra, Conducting, English National Opera Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra, Haverhill Sinfonia, Kentish Opera, London Concert Orchestra, Mozart Festival Orchestra, Musical Associates (UK) Limited, National Symphony Orchestra, New London Sinfonia, Primavera, Tilford Bach Orchestra, Verbier Festival Orchestra. SESSIONS: Tonia Davall and Hilary Skewes (Buick)
Education
Andrew was born in Stafford 1965. Andrew's schooling took place at The Skinner's School, Tunbridge Wells. Andrew's undergraduate studies took place at the University of Leeds (1983 - 1987) and Trinity College of Music (Scholar, 1990 - 1991). Where he led the college orchestras.
Prizes and Awards
Lebel Scholarship (1990) for postgraduate study.
Teachers: Malcolm Layfield, Francis Mason, John Ludlow. The late Hugh Bean CBE
