Lucy Russell

Lucy Russell is held in high international regard for her versatility as a violinist. Her work on both modern and period instruments as leader of the Fitzwilliam Quartet has taken her across the world and has encompassed a breadth of repertoire stretching from Purcell to the present day.

Her passion for deepening the physical experience of playing the violin – through Mindfulness – both enables her own ongoing journey as a violinist and musician and benefits the students she teaches.

She has been a member of the Fitzwilliam since 1988, becoming leader in 1995; with them she has played all over Europe, North America, and South Africa, as well as making recordings for Linn Records, Divine Art Records, the BBC, and various foreign radio stations. She has recorded for Channel Classics, Hyperion, DG, Hännsler, and Decca with other ensembles, having been leader of Florilegium, Concerto Caledonia, Classical Opera Company, Retrospect Ensemble, the Finchcocks Quartet, The King’s Consort, Dunedin Consort as well as a director of the Scottish Early Music Consort and a solo violinist in the New London Consort. She has been Associate Leader of Southern Sinfonia, and has also directed the Danish group Ensemble Zimmerman. A highly acclaimed CD set of the complete Bach Obbligato Sonatas, with eminent harpsichordist John Butt was issued by Linn, soon after which she presented a late night performance of Johann Sebastian Bach solo Partitas at the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester Cathedral.

Over the past few years she has been giving recitals with Turkish fortepianist, Sezi Seskir, in a number of American Universities, including Cornell and Williams –and lately in the UK. A CD of three of Beethoven’s sonatas, including the much loved “Spring”, was released as a result of their work together. 

Lucy has taught and given masterclasses all over the world – including the Czech Republic, the United States, South Africa, Singapore, and Russia. Closer to home, she has worked at the Royal Academy of Music with the Modern Instrument Baroque Orchestra, and at Trinity College of Music, Royal Holloway College London, Fitzwilliam College Cambridge, Birmingham Conservatoire, York University, the Royal Northern College of Music, St Mary’s Music School Edinburgh, Dartington Summer School, and Pro Corda. She is Professor of Baroque Violin at the Royal College of Music and at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and Hon Professor of Violin at the University of St Andrews.

She teaches annually as part of the Faculty for Chamber Music Collective. She is also Director of the St Andrews Baroque Summer School which attracts participants from all over the world.

Lucy divides her time between performing on period instruments and their “modern” counterparts, exploring music from Monteverdi to the present day. 

She is deeply grateful to all former teachers and mentors who have supported her own development over the years.