Apr
26
2009
David Earl is a South African pianist and composer of international recognition and fame. He was born in 1951 in Stellenbosch and made his professional debut at the age of 16, while he was still a student at the Rondebosch Boy’s High School. This premiere was comprised of a concert being broadcast by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The concert included works by Bach, Chabrier, and Chopin. In 1968 he made his premiere performance with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra during which he played Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Then in 1971 he moved to London where he studied at the Trinity College of Music. His instructors included Jacob Kaletsky and Richard Arnell. He was recognized by The Times for his first recital at Wigmore Hall, for which it noted that he was powerful and stylish. Following this, the Greater London Arts Association selected him as one of the Young Musicians of the Year in 1975.
His debut as a composer also occurred at Wigmore Hall, when he presented his Piano Suite No. 1 Mosaics in 1977. Earl has become known and respected around the world for his musicianship and his work as a composer. He never lost touch with his ties with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, who was fundamental in his early development and continues to be part of his professional career. The Cape Town Symphony Orchestra has helped to launch more careers than Earl’s. One of the organization’s major interests is in education and developing music appreciation skills in youth. Earl returned to perform with the orchestra in 2007 when he performed as the solo pianist for the Cape Town Summer Music Festival’s opening ceremony. The festival also featured the world premiere of Earl’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The festival attracted locals and guests from out of town alike. Many tourists were in attendance, having heard about the festival while staying in one of the Cape Town South Africa hotels.