Sophie Langdon

Sophie Langdon is one of Britain's leading violinists. She has appeared as soloist with many major orchestras: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and the Berlin Radio Orchestra. She has been a frequent broadcaster on BBC Radio 3 and appeared regularly on London’s major concert platforms. Her CD recordings include the Ethel Smyth Concerto for violin and horn on the Chandos label, and two volumes of Spohr violin and harp music with harpist Hugh Webb on the Naxos label, both of which were released to critical acclaim.

Langdon’s studies were at the Royal Academy of Music, Juilliard School NY, Curtis Institute Philadelphia, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Study in the US was with the renowned pedagogue, Ivan Galamian, and in the UK with David Martin, Carmel Kaine and Gyorgy Pauk. She obtained many scholarships and prizes and was a winner at the 1981 Munich International Competition.

Recognised as a violinist and musician of great versatility, Sophie is active in many different spheres: as chamber player, soloist and recitalist, orchestral leader and director. Sophie’s teaching career has also spanned some 40 years, and is as equally distinguished as her performing career.

For the last 10 years, Langdon has been developing her unique form of performance freedom coaching, Enhanced Performance Techniques. Here, at the Royal Academy, this elective has been provided to postgraduate students, and has contributed to the performing excellence of hundreds of Academy musicians of all disciplines: strings, wind, brass, piano, singers, percussion, harpsichord, and accordion. Enhanced Performance Techniques will shortly have a new home online, to provide the same possibilities to young musicians the world over. This course provides skills and techniques that reduce stress, stage fright symptoms, performance anxiety, and in general improve the daily life of students who take part.