As one of Nimbus Records’ ‘most popular artists’, Richard Lester’s harpsichord recordings have received superlative reviews in Gramophone: twice awarded the ‘outstanding’ accolade from International Record Review; voted Musicweb International’s ‘Recordings of the year’ (2011), and ‘Recording of the month’ (2018).
His Frescobaldi opus on period instruments also features in the Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical Recordings: ‘Performance of Frescobaldi demands a free, improvisatory style of performance, of which Richard Lester is obviously a master.’
Having studied with George Malcolm, Lester first achieved acclaim in his debut recital at the Royal Festival Hall, Purcell Room in 1973 where he was hailed by David Money in The Daily Telegraph as ‘One of our leading players.’ Since 1977, when he was soloist in a BBC broadcast of Bach’s harpsichord concertos from Birmingham Cathedral, he has performed at Wigmore Hall; BBC Television’s Pebble Mill at One, and on Radio Three, where his recordings are recurrently broadcast.
His many solo engagements have also included the Bath International Festival, Bruges Festival, Bath Bach Festival; together with numerous concerts abroad; plus master classes at Dartington Summer School of Music.
In 1982, Dame Janet Baker chose his Sutton Sound recording of Scarlatti sonatas as the ‘favourite’ on BBC Desert Island Discs, commenting that ‘it would keep my spirits up so well.’ www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009mkhn. It was also selected by both the artist, David Gentleman and the sculptor and painter, Sophie Ryder as their favourites on BBC’s Private Passions.’
Lester is equally accomplished on the Fortepiano, accumulating accolades for a recording of Haydn sonatas in Classical Net:‘There is a sense in which you are made to feel you are in the room with Lester (or Haydn!) and are hearing the music, if not for the first time, then hearing its nuances and subtleties afresh;’ and All Music Guide USA: ‘These performances are musically persuasive all the way through.’
A review in Classical Net of a live concert of Mozart on the Johann Schantz fortepiano (c 1795) in the Bath Holburne Museum, stated, ‘Lester’s playing is full of life. Importantly, his technique (never obtrusive, for all the intricacies of certain passages) lets Mozart’s moments of joy, bewilderment, mischief, wistfulness and sheer exuberance present themselves at all times. He brings out the characteristics of both Mozart’s solo keyboard writing and the fortepiano in equal measure – because that is what Mozart wanted.’
His career as an organist is equally celebrated in this country and abroad where he enjoys playing the Baroque, Romantic and Modern organ repertoire. In 1995 he was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Cirencester Parish Church, a position that afforded the opportunity to direct courses there, and at Bristol Cathedral for the Royal School of Church Music. In the same year he performed Elgar’s organ Sonata in G major at St Paul’s Cathedral, in London for the 50th VJ anniversary celebrations; and in 2013 his recital at St Mark’s in Venice and at Bergamo Cathedral drew capacity audiences. In 2020 he relinquished his title as Associate organist at Buckfast Abbey, a position held since2017.
His most recent recording at St Luke’s Church, Buckfastleigh of French Romantic organ music, entitled ‘French Bonbons’ received an outstanding review from John France in Musicweb International, -‘I enjoyed this CD. It is full of good things. The playing is terrific, and the outstanding recording is exactly what I expect from Nimbus CDs.’
As a musicologist he has contributed numerous articles in Harpsichord and Fortepiano magazine on early Italian keyboard fingering, organ registration and ornamentation; and in addition, his compilation of Renaissance keyboard music together with a DVD and CD entitled ‘Masterworks and Miniatures’ is available from Nimbus Music Publishing.
Lester is the only artist to have recorded the complete oeuvre of Scarlatti sonatas, plus six more recently discovered and authenticated sonatas in various European collections Gramophone: ‘Should be considered as first choice for potential collectors of the whole oeuvre… an enterprising Scarlatti project and a completist’s dream.’
Between 2017 and 2019 he recorded three double volumes of harpsichord works by Bach, recommended by BBC Music Magazine.
Mark Sealey’s review of volumes 1 and 2 in Classical Net USA stated, ‘The blend of scholarship, understanding and a lifetime’s experience with playing – which is both infused with life and yet wholly respects Bach’s idiom – makes this a release to be snapped up immediately.’
In 2021 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate for outstanding achievement in early music.
Following Triple By-pass and aortic valve replacement surgery in 2020; he has at the age of 79, retired from concertising and recording, and lives happily and contentedly with his lovely wife Jackie, who has supported him tirelessly throughout his musical career, – and with whom he has two children, Christian, a fitness instructor, and Elizabeth. Richard also has a son from his first marriage, Dominic George Malcolm.
