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Alison Balsom

Alison Balsom, Lady OBE (born 1978), is an English classical er, arranger, producer, and music educator renowned for her virtuosic solo performances and innovative contributions to the trumpet repertoire. Born in , she began playing the trumpet at age seven and rose to international prominence as one of the leading soloists of her generation, performing with major orchestras worldwide before her retirement from concert performances in September 2025 following her final appearance at the . Balsom studied trumpet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in and the Paris Conservatoire, where she trained under renowned pedagogue Håkan Hardenberger, graduating in 2001 with first-class honours and the Principal's Prize. Her career launched with early accolades, including winning the brass final of the Young Musicians Competition in 1998 and the prize for Most Beautiful Sound at the International Competition in 2000, which helped mark her as the first brass player selected by the Young Concert Artists Trust. As a New Generation Artist from 2008 to , she performed extensively with orchestras such as the Philharmonia, , and Orchestral de , and gave recitals at prestigious venues including and the . Throughout her performing career, Balsom earned numerous awards, including the 2013 Gramophone Artist of the Year, three Classic BRIT Awards (becoming the first British woman to win Best Female Artist in 2009), and three Echo Klassik Awards, alongside her 2016 OBE for services to music. She expanded the trumpet's artistic boundaries through arrangements, recordings on labels like EMI Classics and Warner Classics, and advocacy for music education, serving as a Visiting Professor of Trumpet at the Guildhall School. Married to film director Sir Sam Mendes since 2017, with whom she has a daughter; she also has a son from a previous relationship, Balsom cited the demanding nature of her solo career as a factor in her decision to retire, allowing her to focus on production, education, and family.

Early life and education

Early life

Alison Balsom was born on 7 October 1978 in , , to non-musical parents Bill and Zena Balsom. Her father worked as a builder and hydroplane racer, while her mother was involved in placing children for and fostering. Balsom's interest in music emerged early, beginning with lessons at the age of four before switching to the at seven following an introduction to the instrument at . She received free music lessons through her state in Royston and initially lacked private tuition. By age nine, Balsom had given her first public performance and attended a concert at the featuring Swedish trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger performing the Hummel trumpet concerto, an event that profoundly inspired her. This led her, at the age of ten, to resolve to pursue a professional career in . She also played in the local Royston Town Band during her childhood.

Education

Balsom received her early musical education in the state schools of , attending Tannery Drift Primary School, Greneway Middle School, and Meridian School. She began studying the at age seven, benefiting from free instrumental lessons offered through the school's music program, and soon joined the local Royston Town Band, where she played and gained initial performance experience. At age 18, Balsom secured a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, enrolling in 1997 to study under John Miller. She completed her (BMus) degree there in 2001, graduating with first-class honours, which marked a pivotal advancement in her technical and interpretive skills as a classical trumpeter. Balsom continued her training with postgraduate studies at the in 2001–2002, where she focused on refining her trumpet technique under Håkan Hardenberger, a leading figure in the instrument's contemporary repertoire. She also studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, broadening her exposure to diverse pedagogical approaches. Additionally, Balsom participated in masterclasses with influential trumpet pedagogues, notably Hardenberger, whose guidance profoundly shaped her virtuosic style and commitment to solo performance.

Career

Performing career

Alison Balsom began her professional performing career as a soloist in 2001, following her graduation from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her breakthrough came in 2000 when she won the prize for "Most Beautiful Sound" at the International Trumpet Competition in , which propelled her into international recognition. Early major engagements included performances with leading orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, marking her entry into the professional concert circuit. Throughout her career, Balsom secured solo appearances with prestigious ensembles including the , , and , often performing trumpet concertos by composers like Haydn and Hummel. She made her notable debut in 2002 and returned for high-profile slots, such as the 2009 Last Night of the Proms where she performed Astor Piazzolla's and Haydn's Concerto. Subsequent Proms appearances, including in 2013, showcased her versatility across classical and crossover repertoire. Balsom frequently collaborated with renowned conductors and ensembles, including the for baroque repertoire such as Purcell and Handel trumpet pieces. Other notable partnerships involved , Sir , and , spanning symphonic, choral, and period-instrument settings. As an arranger and producer, she shaped her own projects, blending classical foundations with contemporary and elements, exemplified by her interpretations of Gershwin and Piazzolla in crossover concerts. In 2025, Balsom announced her retirement from performing, culminating in a farewell appearance at the Last Night of the on September 13, where she performed Hummel's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major under conductor . This event, broadcast live on and iPlayer, served as the capstone to her 24-year stage career, highlighting her enduring impact on the repertoire.

Broadcasting and media

Alison Balsom has served as a presenter for the of the Year competition, returning to the program in 2014 and 2016 after her own participation as a finalist in 1998. In 2014, she co-presented the category finals and semi-finals alongside guitarist , covering events such as the strings category final on 18 April and the woodwind category final on 25 April. In 2016, Balsom presented alongside and , introducing young talents across categories and contributing to the brass judging panel based on her expertise as a trumpeter. Balsom has made notable appearances on BBC Proms broadcasts, including discussions celebrating the festival's repertoire. In a 2025 episode of BBC Radio 4's "Add to Playlist," she joined bassoonist Linton Stephens to discuss Proms-themed music, including works by Mendelssohn and others, highlighting the trumpet's role in orchestral contexts. On Classic FM radio, Balsom made her presenting debut in early 2013, co-hosting with Lucy Coward to showcase her favorite Purcell tunes, blending repertoire with personal insights into the instrument's expressive qualities. In music education media, Balsom has contributed masterclass videos and interviews focused on trumpet technique for aspiring players. Her 2016 BBC "Get Playing" masterclass emphasized breathing fundamentals, demonstrating how proper technique enhances sound production by likening the trumpet to a voice. She has also led live masterclasses, such as one in 2024 at the Royal College of Music with brass faculty students, addressing performance challenges, and produced introductory videos like "Learn to Play: Introduction to the Trumpet," covering basics for beginners. Through media appearances, Balsom has advocated for greater female representation in brass instruments, challenging stereotypes of the field as male-dominated. In a 2010 Guardian interview, she discussed navigating expectations as a female trumpeter, favoring substantive repertoire like Beethoven over superficial glamour. A 2024 iNews profile highlighted her mission to revolutionize perceptions of the trumpet, noting its rarity among female soloists and her efforts to inspire more women through broadcasts and education. In a 2012 Classic FM discussion, she addressed gender disparities in brass, promoting accessibility for female players via technique-focused media.

Festival direction and education

Balsom serves as the Honorary President of the Royston Arts Festival, a role she assumed in 2010 to support the event's promotion of classical and in her hometown. In this capacity, she has contributed to fundraising and awareness efforts, drawing on her local roots to enhance community engagement with the arts. As a committed music educator, Balsom holds the position of Visiting Professor of at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she mentors emerging talent and shares her expertise in performance techniques and repertoire. She has established a presence in through regular masterclasses, including sessions at the Guildhall School focusing on works like Hummel's Concerto, and at the Royal College of Music, where she guides students on interpretation and stage presence. These worldwide teaching engagements extend to collaborations with professional organizations, emphasizing practical skill development for young trumpeters. Balsom is a vocal for accessible , particularly in state schools, inspired by her own early free lessons in . She has supported initiatives like Amnesty International's "Don't Stop the Music" campaign, arguing that music learning is essential, not a luxury, for all children regardless of socioeconomic background. Her outreach includes hands-on school visits, such as leading workshops at St Martin's C of E in in 2014 as part of a partnership with Warwick Music Group to introduce instruments to underprivileged students. Balsom has publicly criticized funding cuts to school music programs, warning of their long-term damage to and talent pipelines in the UK.

Retirement

On 30 August 2025, Alison Balsom announced her retirement from solo performance after a 24-year career, stating that her final concert would be at the Last Night of the Proms on 13 September 2025, where she performed the Hummel Trumpet Concerto. Balsom cited the intense demands of maintaining an international performing schedule as a key factor, explaining that the role required constant travel and preparation that made it challenging to balance with family life. She also expressed a sense of creative exhaustion after decades of high-level solo work, noting a desire to step back entirely rather than reduce her commitments incrementally. This decision allowed her to redirect her energies toward other aspects of music-making, including production and arranging, where she has already contributed as a and arranger. Following her retirement from solo performing, Balsom plans to continue her involvement in music education, drawing on her longstanding advocacy for accessible music learning programs. She has indicated interest in non-solo collaborations and creative pursuits such as arranging new works, while emphasizing a broader pull to "grow" in less public-facing roles. In reflections on her career, Balsom highlighted its role in inspiring new generations of players, particularly through her efforts to encourage young musicians at community levels, such as visits to her former primary school shortly after her final performance. Shortly after her final performance, Balsom appeared on BBC's in September 2025, revisiting the bands from her in Royston to inspire emerging musicians.

Awards and honours

Music awards

Alison Balsom has received numerous accolades for her performances and recordings in the field, highlighting her prominence as a soloist. In 2006, she won the Young British Classical Performer award at the Classic BRIT Awards, recognizing her emerging talent early in her career. She also secured the Female Artist of the Year title at the same awards in 2009, becoming the first British woman to achieve this honor, and repeated the win in 2011. Balsom's international recognition includes three Echo Klassik Awards from , the country's premier honors, awarded in 2007 as Rising , in 2009, and in 2012 as Instrumentalist of the Year. These awards celebrated her recordings and virtuosic interpretations of and contemporary repertoire. In 2013, Balsom was named Gramophone Artist of the Year, the first woman to receive this prestigious title from the Gramophone Awards, acknowledging her overall artistic impact and innovative contributions to trumpet performance. This accolade, often regarded as the "Oscars of ," underscored her status on the global stage. In 2013, she also received the PPL Classical Award at the Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef Awards.

Other honours

In 2016, Alison Balsom was appointed Officer of the () in the Queen's for services to music. Balsom received an Honorary Fellowship from the School of Music and Drama in 2014, recognizing her contributions to musical performance and education. In 2017, she was awarded Honorary Membership (Hon RAM) by the Royal Academy of Music for her significant impact on the profession. Balsom has received honorary doctorates from (Doctor of Arts, 2009), the (Doctor of Music, 2015), and the (Doctor of Music, 2021). Since 2014, Balsom has taken on roles as patron for several music-related charities and youth organizations, including Brass for Africa, a UK-based charity that empowers young people in through brass music education and performance opportunities. Her educational efforts have earned further recognition, such as her appointment as a Visiting Professor of at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she mentors emerging artists.

Personal life

Family

Alison Balsom was born to non-musical parents; her father, Bill, worked as a builder, while her mother, Zena, was involved in placing children with foster families. Despite this practical, non-artistic household background, her parents provided strong support for her musical pursuits from a young age, encouraging her development as a trumpeter without prior family tradition in the field. This environment fostered Balsom's independent choice to pursue a career in classical music, emphasizing self-determination over inherited influences. Balsom was in a long-term relationship with English conductor Edward Gardner, with whom she shares a son, Charlie, born around 2011; the couple separated amicably that year. In 2017, she married filmmaker , and their daughter, , was born in September of that year. Balsom is also stepmother to Mendes' son, Joe, born in 2003 from his previous marriage to actress .

Interests and residence

Alison Balsom resides in , , with her husband and children. She frequently spends time at in , which she has described as a personal haven for reflection and creative work amid her recording sessions there. Her marriage to film director in 2017 has influenced her growing interest in cinema, including attending films together such as a movie on their first date, which she found unexpectedly violent yet memorable. Balsom has advocated for better work-life balance in the arts, particularly highlighting the challenges of sustaining a high-level performing career alongside family responsibilities, a factor in her 2025 retirement announcement to prioritize time with her . Among her leisure pursuits, Balsom embraces adrenaline-fueled activities inherited from her father's background as a hydroplane racer during her childhood, including with him and participating in the 607-mile Fastnet yacht race in ; she also enjoys skiing and family travels that incorporate such adventures. She supports initiatives like Nordoff Robbins for and the of London's Fund for Young Musicians, reflecting her commitment to broader cultural access.

Discography

Studio albums

Alison Balsom's studio albums showcase her versatility across classical repertoire, from to modern works, often featuring collaborations with renowned ensembles and organists. Her debut recording established her as a rising talent in trumpet performance, while subsequent releases explored thematic collections that highlight her technical precision and interpretive depth. These albums, primarily issued by major labels, have garnered critical acclaim for their innovative arrangements and high-fidelity production. Her first studio , Music for Trumpet and Organ (2002, ), marked Balsom's professional recording debut at age 22. Recorded with organist Quentin Thomas, it features transcriptions of organ works adapted for , including pieces by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, such as Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Handel's Organ Concerto in B flat. The emphasizes the dialogue between and timbres, drawing on historic performance practices. Caprice (2006, EMI Classics) includes trumpet concertos and sonatas by composers such as Telemann and Clarke, performed with the City of London Sinfonia under David Parry, showcasing Balsom's early command of and Classical styles. Haydn & Hummel: Trumpet Concertos (2008, EMI Classics), with the London Chamber Orchestra under Matthias Bamert, features Joseph Haydn's Concerto in and Johann Nepomuk Hummel's in , highlighting Balsom's lyrical phrasing in Classical era works. Italian Concertos (2010, EMI Classics), accompanied by the Scottish Ensemble, presents arrangements of 18th-century Italian concertos originally for or by Vivaldi, Albinoni, and Torelli, adapted for to emphasize virtuosic display. Paris (2014, Warner Classics) delves into French-inspired music, featuring arrangements of works by Satie (Gymnopédie No. 3), Piazzolla (Café 1930 and Oblivion), Ravel, Debussy, Offenbach, and Legrand, nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. The recording captures a crossover elegance blending classical and popular idioms. Légende (2016, Warner Classics) is a live recital collection of lyrical trumpet works with pianist Tom Poster, including Enescu's Légende, Françaix's Sonatine, and arrangements of Gershwin and Ravel, blending Romantic and jazz influences. Royal Fireworks (2019, Warner Classics) celebrates Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks alongside other ceremonial works by Purcell and Clarke, recorded with The Balsom Ensemble, emphasizing Balsom's command of festive, outdoor-style music. Sound the Trumpet (2012, Warner Classics), with The English Concert under , focuses on royal anthems by Purcell and Handel. Key selections feature Purcell's The Yorkshire Feast Song and Handel's The King Shall Rejoice, arranged to highlight the trumpet's heraldic role in court music. The album's scholarly approach includes newly commissioned editions. Quiet City (2022, Warner Classics) explores 20th-century American compositions, performed with the Britten Sinfonia under Scott Stroman. Highlights include Copland's Quiet City, Bernstein's Prelude, Fugue and Riffs, and arrangements evoking nocturnal American scenes. The album's introspective mood underscores Balsom's ability to convey narrative depth. Baroque Concertos (2024, Warner Classics), featuring Pinnock's Players under , revives concertos originally for violin or oboe by Telemann, Handel, Vivaldi, Albinoni, and . Standout tracks include Telemann's Trumpet Concerto in D and Handel's O voi che in questa laguna. Balsom's agile articulation on modern brings vitality to these period pieces.

Compilations and other releases

Balsom has released several compilation albums that highlight her career highlights, as well as collaborative projects and live recordings that extend her repertoire beyond solo studio efforts. The Sound of Alison Balsom (2013, Warner Classics) is a career-spanning compilation drawing from her earlier albums between 2002 and 2012, featuring gems performed on both natural and modern valved trumpets. Jubilo (2008, ; reissued 2016, Warner Classics) presents a Christmas-themed selection of works by composers including Bach, Corelli, Torelli, and Fasch, featuring Balsom on trumpet with the , the , and conductors Pavlo Beznosiuk and Stephen Cleobury. Magic Trumpet (2020, Warner Classics) serves as a crossover compilation of 20 pieces blending Baroque splendor with 20th-century popular idioms, showcasing Balsom's versatility across light classics and arrangements for trumpet, choir, and organ. In collaborative works, The Fam'd Italian Masters (2003, Hyperion Records) pairs Balsom with trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins and the Parley of Instruments in a program of Italian Baroque music for two trumpets and strings, including sonatas by composers such as Maurizio Cazzati and Ferdinando Lazzari.

Equipment

Trumpets

Alison Balsom primarily performs on custom Schilke tailored for her versatile repertoire. Her main C trumpet is the Schilke S22CHD model, which she uses for standard orchestral and solo works requiring a full-bodied tone. For higher-range passages in , she employs the Schilke E3L Eb/D trumpet and the E3L-4 trumpet, suitable for concertos such as those by Haydn and Hummel. She also utilizes the G1L G/F trumpet to perform literature in higher keys, simulating aspects of historical natural trumpets in modern valved performances. For piccolo trumpet parts in baroque music, such as Bach's works, Balsom uses the Schilke P7-4 Bb/A piccolo trumpet. In period-informed baroque interpretations, Balsom plays historical instruments, including valveless natural trumpets crafted to authentic 18th-century specifications, as heard in her recordings of works by Handel and Telemann. In 2014, Balsom began experimenting with early prototypes of the pTrumpet, a fully Bb developed for educational purposes to make the instrument more accessible and durable for young learners during demonstrations and workshops. These instruments appear in select educational videos and sessions rather than her principal work.

Mouthpieces and accessories

Alison Balsom primarily employs a Bach 1 1/4C mouthpiece for her C , a choice that supports her versatile classical repertoire. This model provides a balanced cup depth and rim contour suited to her playing style, enabling precise control across dynamic ranges. For performance, Balsom inserts her standard modern Bach 1 1/4C mouthpiece into the instrument, which she describes as producing "so very beautiful" tonal results despite the . She supplements this with a custom Baroque-style mouthpiece crafted by instrument maker Egger, featuring a rim identical to the Bach 1 1/4C to ensure consistency when alternating between modern and period instruments. This setup allows her to switch daily without physical adaptation issues, as the familiar contact facilitates both high-register demands in piccolo work and deeper sonority in applications. Balsom's mouthpiece selections reflect professional customizations refined over her career, evolving from standard student models during her Guildhall School of Music and Drama studies to these tailored options that accommodate natural trumpets and contemporary piccolo passages. She adjusts cup depth selectively—opting for deeper profiles on trumpets for richer and shallower ones for the upper registers in piccolo playing—to optimize projection and endurance. Among accessories, for international tours, she relies on compact, reinforced cases designed for carry-on compliance, as highlighted in her 2017 advocacy against policies restricting transport in cabins. These lightweight stands and protective cases, often with padded interiors and multiple carrying options, safeguard her equipment amid frequent global travel.

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