Academy of Ancient Music appoints Richard Bratby as Hogwood Fellow

Named after AAM founder Christopher Hogwood CBE, the position seeks to further the AAM's understanding of and relationship with early music. Bratby’s primary role is the curation and preparation of a commemorative book about the history and work of AAM, ahead of the orchestra’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2023/24. 

Richard Bratby said: 'The history of the Academy of Ancient Music is one of the great untold stories of British orchestral life - and one of international significance. This is the group that arguably did more than any other to lift historically-informed performance out of its academic niche and into the concert halls and record collections of the world. The story of the AAM is, in a large part, the story of the way we perform, present and (most importantly) enjoy music today.

As the AAM approaches its 50th anniversary, it's a good time to take stock: to step back and examine this unfinished story in full. AAM has been part of my musical life for as long as I've been listening to Purcell and Mozart; to be entrusted with telling that tale is a privilege, a challenge, and - I've got to be honest - so far, enormous fun. I'm determined to do justice to the character, the ambition and the irrepressible energy of one of the world's great orchestras.'