Laurence Perkins has become one of Britain’s best-known solo bassoonists through his concert performances and numerous solo recordings on CD. His performances have included recitals and chamber music concerts at the Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room in London, a recital in Prague, and concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra (at St. John’s, Smith Square) and Manchester Camerata (with whom he is principal bassoonist), as well as with numerous European orchestras.
Laurence’s Hyperion CD of concertos by Mozart and Weber with Manchester Camerata conducted by Douglas Boyd received a five-star rating in the BBC Music Magazine, with the Mozart Concerto being a top recommendation on BBC Radio 3’s ‘CD Review’ programme. Another solo CD for Hyperion, “The Playful Pachyderm” (with the New London Orchestra conducted by Ronald Corp) has also received outstanding critical acclaim in the national and international press. Other solo and chamber music recordings include CDs for IMP/Pickwick and Clarinet Classics.
Laurence is a bassoon and wind chamber music tutor at Dartington International Summer School, and he also organises the “Wind Serenades” chamber music courses for amateur woodwind and horn players around the UK. His other activities include landscape photography, and musical relaxation sessions with patients at the Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre in Bristol.