Ton Koopman has been a familiar
name on the international scene ever since the 1970s. He began his career by
being twice awarded the Prix dÂExcellence for his performances on the organ
and harp. The first orchestra he conducted was the Musica Antiqua of Amsterdam.
In 1979 he founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, bringing together musicians
from various parts of the world. 1992 saw the founding of the Amsterdam Baroque
Choir (and the suspension of the Baroque OrchestraÂs activities). This choir
consists entirely of young Dutch professional singers. One of the most prestigious
prizes of Ton KoopmanÂs career is the 3M Prize, awarded to him in 1989 in recognition
of his services to ancient music. Further distinctions were the Crystal Prize
of the Osaka Symphony Hall (1992) and the Edison Prize, awarded in 1993 for
his CD recordings of HaydnÂs Paris Symphonies on Erato. In March 1994 Ton Koopman
won a Golden CD for his recording of BachÂs St Matthew Passion with the Amsterdam
Baroque Orchestra and the choir of the Netherlands Bach Society, a recording
which also brought him the French ÂPrix de l Académie du Disque LyriqueÂ. Ton
Koopman is frequently invited to conduct orchestras in all parts of the world.
In the Netherlands he has performed the St Matthew Passion with the Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra and has also appeared with the Residentie Orchestra. Since September
1994 he has been chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber orchestra.
In addition Ton Koopman teaches the harp at the Dutch Royal Conservatory in
The Hague and is an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Recent recordings include BachÂs Mass in B minor, PurcellÂs The Fairy Queen,
concertos for organ and harp by Haydn, and MozartÂs Coronation Mass. In November
1994 Ton Koopman set himself and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir one
of the most ambitious recording projects in the history of music: a complete
recording of all the sacred and secular cantatas of J.S. Bach.
