Biography

After studies in London (Jill Severs) and The Hague (Ton Koopman), harpsichordist and organist James Johnstone has forged a career as recitalist, chamber musician, continuo player and teacher, performing and recording with all the major UK-based period instrument ensembles, as well as groups in Germany, Canada, Italy and Holland. As a recitalist he has performed in Great Britain, Denmark, Holland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Israel, Equador, Colombia and the United States.

He was a principal keyboard player for the Gabrieli Consort and Players for 17 years, a member of the chamber ensemble Florilegium for 10 years, and for 16 years with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir. Recently he has joined the Constellation Choir and Orchestra.

James teaches early keyboards at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.

In 2016 he began a critically acclaimed series of recordings for Metronome Recordings, including the complete organ works of Bach. Upcoming releases will include Bach’s Art of Fugue on harpsichord, the six violin and harpsichord sonatas with Rodolfo Richter and further volumes of Bach organ music.