Alan Cuckston

Alan George Cuckston (born 1940, Horsforth, Leeds, England) is an English harpsichordist, pianist, conductor, and lecturer.

Alan Cuckston was born near Leeds and studied music with Fanny Waterman and Lamar Crowson and at Kings College, Cambridge, 1959–63. He successfully auditioned for the BBC, and has given frequent broadcasts as keyboard and harpsichord soloist. Cuckston also and joined the staff of the Music Department at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham. In 1968 he played the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall,[1] the repertoire of which included: the Monteverdi Choir, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, the English Chamber Orchestra, Vespro della Beata Vergine, and conductor John Eliot Gardiner.

As a freelance player "of international repute"[2] and specialising in early keyboard instruments (harpsichord, organ and fortepiano), Cuckston has given concerts in many parts of Europe and North America and has toured as harpsichordist with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and as organist with Pro Cantione Antiqua. He also lectures in classical music[3]

Cuckston has produced an extensive repertoire of recordings,[4] ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day. He has released music by Handel, Rameau and Couperin (Naxos Records) and the complete piano music of Alan Rawsthorne (Swinsty Records). Cuckston is also featured in The Creel.[5]

Additionally Cuckston has commissioned works for harpsichord by Elizabeth Maconchy, Ronald Stevenson, David Wooldridge, and Phillip Ramey. Cuckston's focus is very much on the Baroque period, and he had a harpsichord built by John Rooks of Ticknall, Derbyshire, based on a 1638 harpsichord made by Andreas Ruckers. His organ recitals are likewise recognised as "fine pieces enhanced by the bright tone and impeccable, unobtrusive and exemplary playing".[6]

References
  1. The 1968 Proms. "Prom 49", The BBC, London. Archive from 11 September 1968.
  2. Thirsk Weekly News. Archived 5 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Higham Hall. "Origins and analysis of choral masterpieces, residential course" Archived 25 January 2013 at Archive.today.
  4. Classical Archives. "the charm and bravura supplied in these performances suggest the characterizations Couperin intended", François Couperin: Pièces de Clavecin.
  5. The Creel. "The Journal of the Friends of Alan Rawsthorne", the Rawsthorne Trust.
  6. Classic Music on the Web. "Handel Organ Music, by Alan Cuckston", Foxglove Audio.

References
  • Cuckston, Alan (George). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (Fourth Edition), p. 174. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-860884-5
  • www.solorecitals.co.uk
  • Harpsichordist.co.uk.
  • Biography on Amazon.
  • Dick Blackford's concerto, "internationally acclaimed" world premiere.
  • William Walton (the life and works). . Ashgate. ISBN 978-1-85928-190-1
  • The Hounds of Spring (review).
  • François Couperin: Pièces de Clavecin (review).
  • Kenneth Leighton : Concerto for Harpsichord, Recorder and Strings (review).
  • Harpsichord Recital, Acocks Green, October 2011.
  • Handel's Concerto No. 1 in B flat, William Bennett.
  • The Continuity & Context of Gerald Finzi's Extended Choral Works, Durham University (thesis by Weedon, Robert, Andrew).
  • Selby Town Hall pre-recital biography
  • Howden & District 2012 recital "The Harpsichord and its Music".
  • University of Chester, Professor Darren Sproston biography.
  • Alan Cuckston. Naxos
  • Alan Cuckston. Answers.com
  • Alan Cuckston, Discography Allmusic.com
  • Alan Cuckston, Discography Rhapsody.com


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