Dr Peter Leech B.A. B.Mus. Grad.Dip.Mus.(Conducting). Ph.D
Darlithydd
Trosolwyg
I am a professional choral and orchestral conductor, musicologist, composer, singer and keyboard player. I am a specialist in English court music (1600-1750), music in the British Jesuit and broader European Catholic diaspora (1600-1800) and European sacred music (1550-1800). I have published substantial articles and reviews in Early Music (OUP), Music & Letters (OUP), The Consort (Dolmetsch Foundation), Eighteenth-century music (CUP), Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis (KVNM), Archivum Historicum Societatis Iesu (IHSI, Rome), Journal of Jesuit Studies (Brill) and the Newsletter of the Society For Eighteenth-Century Music (USA).
As a conductor I have recorded for the Nimbus Alliance, Tall Poppies and Toccata Classics labels. I am conductor of the Cardiff University Chamber Choir, as well as Cappella Fede, Harmonia Sacra and Costanzi Consort. With Cappella Fede I released a ground-breaking new CD in 2016, The Cardinal King (featuring first recordings of rediscovered eighteenth-century Roman sacred music by Sebastiano Bolis, Giovanni Battista Costanzi and others), to widespread critical acclaim. BBC Radio 3 Record Review (January 2017) described it as 'a moving disc' with 'consort singing second to none' (Elin Manahan-Thomas and Andrew McGregor). My future projects will include a detailed study of eighteenth-century sacred music at San Lorenzo in Damaso (Rome), further research on British seventeenth and early eighteenth-century Jesuit musicians and a cultural biography of Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart (1725-1807).
Cyhoeddiad
2020
- Leech, P. 2020. Gaudeamus omnes: Catholic liturgical music for St Thomas Becket in the British Isles, continental Europe and the venerable English college, Rome, c.1170-2020. In: Whitehead, M. ed. Memory, Martyrs, and Mission: Essays to Commemorate the 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket (c.1118-1170). Gangemi Editore, pp. 95-128.
2019
- Leech, P. 2019. Jean-Paul Montagnier, The Polyphonic Mass in France, 1600-1780: The Evidence of the Printed Choirbooks. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017 [Book Review]. H-France 19, pp. 1-5.
- Leech, P. 2019. In dulci jubilo - choral music for Advent and Christmas - Harmonia Sacra. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/in-dulci-jubilo-choral-music-for-advent-christmas.html
2017
- Leech, P. 2017. Lux memoriaque - light and remembrance - Harmonia Sacra. [CD]. Vol. 6349. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/lux-memoriaque-contemporary-british-choral-works.html
2016
- Leech, P. 2016. Richard Dering, Motets and Anthems, Ed.by Jonathan P. Wainwright. Music Britannica, 98 (Stainer & Bell), London, 2015.[Book Review]. Music and Letters 97(2), pp. 329-332. (10.1093/ml/gcw039)
- Leech, P. and Whitehead, M. 2016. Clamores omnino atque admirationes excitant: New light on music and musicians at St Omers English Jesuit College, 1658-1714. Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis LXVI(1), pp. 123-148.
- Leech, P. 2016. Prince, priest and patron: Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart and musical patronage in eighteenth-century Rome. Society for Eighteenth-century Music Newsletter 27, pp. 1, 11-12.
- Leech, P. 2016. The Cardinal King - Music for Henry Benedict Stuart in Rome, 1740-91. [CD]. 31 May 2023.
2015
- Leech, P. 2015. Princely splendour: Cardinal Henry Stuart and music patronage in 18th-century Rome. The Consort 71, pp. 51-73.
2014
- Leech, P. 2014. Princely splendour - choral works from 18th century Rome. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/princely-splendour-choral-works-from-18th-century-rome.html
2012
- Leech, P. 2012. Cherubim & seraphim - Russian Orthodox choral works from the reigns of Catherine the Great to Nicholas II. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/cherubim-seraphim-russian-orthodox-choral-works-from-catherine-the-great-to-nicholas-ii.html
2011
- Leech, P. 2011. Music and musicians in the Catholic chapel of James II at Whitehall, 1686-1688. Early Music 39(3), pp. 379-400. (10.1093/em/car072)
- Leech, P. and Whitehead, M. 2011. 'In Paradise and among angels'. Music and musicians at St Omers English Jesuit College, 1593-1721. Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis 61(1-2), pp. 57-82.
- Leech, P. 2011. Richard Dering, Motets for One, Two or Three Voices and Basso Continuo [Book Review]. Music & Letters 92(2), pp. 282-285.
- Leech, P. 2011. Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611). The Early Music Yearbook 2011, pp. 5-9.
2010
- Leech, P. 2010. George Frideric Handel Parnasso in Festa [CD Review]. Eighteenth-Century Music 7(2), pp. 305-309. (10.1017/S1478570610000199)
2009
- Leech, P. 2009. Handel's legacy [Book Reviews]. Early Music 37(4), pp. 657-660. (10.1093/em/cap089)
- Leech, P. 2009. Recusant song?. Early Music 37(3), pp. 485-487. (10.1093/em/cap049)
2008
- Leech, P. ed. 2008. The Selosse Manuscript - Seventeenth Century Jesuit keyboard music. Launton: Edition HH.
2007
- Leech, P. 2007. Devotional music from Stuart England. Early Music 35(4), pp. 644-647. (10.1093/em/cam065)
- Leech, P. 2007. Music for an Academic Defense (Rome, 1617) [Music Review]. Archivum Historicum Societatis Iesu 76(151), pp. 174-177.
2006
- Leech, P. 2006. Regal Handel [Book Review]. Early Music 34(1), pp. 143-146.
2003
- Leech, P. 2003. Catholic musicians in Restoration London. Genealogists Magazine 27(9), pp. 391-397.
- Leech, P. 2003. Canon law. Early Music Review 91, pp. 12-13.
2001
- Leech, P. 2001. Musicians in the Catholic chapel of Catherine of Braganza, 1662-92. Early Music 29(4), pp. 570-587. (10.1093/earlyj/XXIX.4.570)
- Leech, P. 2001. Records of the Chapel Royal [Book Review]. Early Music 29(3), pp. 456-457.
- Leech, P. 2001. A Sterndale Bennett autograph discovery. Early Music Review 70, pp. 12-13.
Articles
- Leech, P. 2019. Jean-Paul Montagnier, The Polyphonic Mass in France, 1600-1780: The Evidence of the Printed Choirbooks. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017 [Book Review]. H-France 19, pp. 1-5.
- Leech, P. 2016. Richard Dering, Motets and Anthems, Ed.by Jonathan P. Wainwright. Music Britannica, 98 (Stainer & Bell), London, 2015.[Book Review]. Music and Letters 97(2), pp. 329-332. (10.1093/ml/gcw039)
- Leech, P. and Whitehead, M. 2016. Clamores omnino atque admirationes excitant: New light on music and musicians at St Omers English Jesuit College, 1658-1714. Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis LXVI(1), pp. 123-148.
- Leech, P. 2016. Prince, priest and patron: Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart and musical patronage in eighteenth-century Rome. Society for Eighteenth-century Music Newsletter 27, pp. 1, 11-12.
- Leech, P. 2015. Princely splendour: Cardinal Henry Stuart and music patronage in 18th-century Rome. The Consort 71, pp. 51-73.
- Leech, P. 2011. Music and musicians in the Catholic chapel of James II at Whitehall, 1686-1688. Early Music 39(3), pp. 379-400. (10.1093/em/car072)
- Leech, P. and Whitehead, M. 2011. 'In Paradise and among angels'. Music and musicians at St Omers English Jesuit College, 1593-1721. Tijdschrift van de Koninklijke Vereniging voor Nederlandse Muziekgeschiedenis 61(1-2), pp. 57-82.
- Leech, P. 2011. Richard Dering, Motets for One, Two or Three Voices and Basso Continuo [Book Review]. Music & Letters 92(2), pp. 282-285.
- Leech, P. 2011. Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611). The Early Music Yearbook 2011, pp. 5-9.
- Leech, P. 2010. George Frideric Handel Parnasso in Festa [CD Review]. Eighteenth-Century Music 7(2), pp. 305-309. (10.1017/S1478570610000199)
- Leech, P. 2009. Handel's legacy [Book Reviews]. Early Music 37(4), pp. 657-660. (10.1093/em/cap089)
- Leech, P. 2009. Recusant song?. Early Music 37(3), pp. 485-487. (10.1093/em/cap049)
- Leech, P. 2007. Devotional music from Stuart England. Early Music 35(4), pp. 644-647. (10.1093/em/cam065)
- Leech, P. 2007. Music for an Academic Defense (Rome, 1617) [Music Review]. Archivum Historicum Societatis Iesu 76(151), pp. 174-177.
- Leech, P. 2006. Regal Handel [Book Review]. Early Music 34(1), pp. 143-146.
- Leech, P. 2003. Catholic musicians in Restoration London. Genealogists Magazine 27(9), pp. 391-397.
- Leech, P. 2003. Canon law. Early Music Review 91, pp. 12-13.
- Leech, P. 2001. Musicians in the Catholic chapel of Catherine of Braganza, 1662-92. Early Music 29(4), pp. 570-587. (10.1093/earlyj/XXIX.4.570)
- Leech, P. 2001. Records of the Chapel Royal [Book Review]. Early Music 29(3), pp. 456-457.
- Leech, P. 2001. A Sterndale Bennett autograph discovery. Early Music Review 70, pp. 12-13.
Audio
- Leech, P. 2019. In dulci jubilo - choral music for Advent and Christmas - Harmonia Sacra. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/in-dulci-jubilo-choral-music-for-advent-christmas.html
- Leech, P. 2017. Lux memoriaque - light and remembrance - Harmonia Sacra. [CD]. Vol. 6349. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/lux-memoriaque-contemporary-british-choral-works.html
- Leech, P. 2016. The Cardinal King - Music for Henry Benedict Stuart in Rome, 1740-91. [CD]. 31 May 2023.
- Leech, P. 2014. Princely splendour - choral works from 18th century Rome. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/princely-splendour-choral-works-from-18th-century-rome.html
- Leech, P. 2012. Cherubim & seraphim - Russian Orthodox choral works from the reigns of Catherine the Great to Nicholas II. [CD]. 31 May 2023. Available at: https://www.wyastone.co.uk/cherubim-seraphim-russian-orthodox-choral-works-from-catherine-the-great-to-nicholas-ii.html
Book sections
- Leech, P. 2020. Gaudeamus omnes: Catholic liturgical music for St Thomas Becket in the British Isles, continental Europe and the venerable English college, Rome, c.1170-2020. In: Whitehead, M. ed. Memory, Martyrs, and Mission: Essays to Commemorate the 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket (c.1118-1170). Gangemi Editore, pp. 95-128.
Books
- Leech, P. ed. 2008. The Selosse Manuscript - Seventeenth Century Jesuit keyboard music. Launton: Edition HH.
Ymchwil
My main research deals with vocal and instrumental music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with specific areas including music and musicians in the British Royal Catholic chapels 1660-1714, music and musicians in the British Jesuit diaspora 1580-1773, late 17th century instrumental and vocal music in England, 18th century choral and instrumental music in Rome and early Russian Orthodox choral music.
Addysgu
Rwy'n addysgu ar lefelau israddedig ac ôl-raddedig, gan gymryd dosbarthiadau blwyddyn gyntaf mewn Astudiaethau Repertoire, dosbarthiadau ail flwyddyn mewn Ymarfer Perfformiad ac Organoleg (Y Ddeunawfed Ganrif Hir c.1700-c.1830), dosbarthiadau trydedd flwyddyn mewn Ymarfer Perfformiad ac Organoleg (yr ail ganrif ar bymtheg c.1550-c.1700), yn ogystal â goruchwylio myfyrwyr Meistr sy'n ymgymryd ag elfen traethawd hir y cwrs MA.
Mae fy nosbarthiadau Ymarfer Perfformiad Blwyddyn 2 a Blwyddyn 3 yn ymdrin â thraethodau cerddorol pwysig a gyhoeddwyd o tua 1550 hyd at ddechrau'r bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg, gyda llawer o astudiaethau achos penodol yn ymdrin ag agweddau ar addurniadau cerddorol, mynegiant, astudiaethau ffynhonnell, dehongli a deall printiau a llawysgrifau cerddoriaeth gwreiddiol a meddwl beirniadol.
Lle bo'n bosibl, rwy'n ymgorffori cymaint o agweddau ar y cwricwlwm academaidd â phosibl yn fy ngweithgaredd perfformio gyda Chôr Siambr Prifysgol Caerdydd (ers 2016) a'r Ensemble Baróc (ers 2021).
Rwyf hefyd wedi bod yn ymwneud â'r Fforwm Perfformiad Uwch (hyd at 2020), Dosbarthiadau Perfformiad (hyd heddiw) ac agweddau seminarau ar y cyrsiau MA a addysgir.
Yn 2018 a 2019 cyflawnodd fy myfyrwyr Traethawd Hir Meistr (gan weithio ar gerddoriaeth ffidil unigol C17 Giuseppe Colombi, a lyrique tragedie Andre Campra, yn y drefn honno) ragoriaeth uchel ac fe'u hargymhellir ar gyfer parhau â'u hymchwil ar lefel PhD.
Ers 2018 mae tri o'm cyn-fyfyrwyr israddedig wedi mynd ymlaen o Brifysgol Caerdydd i ennill rhagoriaeth uchel mewn astudiaethau MA ym mhrifysgolion Rhydychen a Chaergrawnt.
Bywgraffiad
Rwyf wedi dal y swyddi canlynol fel Cyfarwyddwr Cerdd (MD) neu Guest Musical Director (GMD)
Consort Costanzi (2017-presennol) MD
Côr Dinas Caerfaddon Bach (2016) GMD
Côr Siambr Prifysgol Caerdydd (2016-presennol) MD
St Catharijne Cantorei, Brielle (2015-presennol) GMD
Coro di Teatro Comunale, Bologna (2010) GMD
Harmonia Sacra (2009-presennol), MD
Cappella Fede (2008-presennol), MD
Cymdeithas Gorawl Aylesbury (2004-2014) MD
Côr a Cherddorfa Siambr Eszterhazy (2002) GMD
Coro Euridice, Bologna (2005 a 2010), GMD
Cerddorfa Ffilharmonig Bryste (2005) GMD
Corws Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Frenhinol yr Alban (2002-3) GMD
Cerddorfa Siambr y Ddinas Hong Kong (2002) GMD
Côr Siambr Chandos, Llundain (2002-2004) MD
Frideswide Ensemble Rhydychen (1999-2009) GMD
Côr Bristol Bach (1999-2008) MD
Côr Dinas Rhydychen (1998-2005) MD
Cantorion Eglwys Crist, Rhydychen (1997-1999) MD
The Song Company (1996) GMD
Cerddorfa Symffoni Tasmania (1994) GMD
Côr y Tuduriaid, Melbourne (1994-95)
Eglwys Gadeiriol Sant Pedr, Adelaide (1994-1995) MD
Cymdeithas Gorawl Prifysgol Adelaide (1994-1995) MD
Cerddorfa Siambr Newydd Holland Baróc (1993-1995) MD
The Handel Bande, Melbourne (1992) MD
Ensemble Eszterhaza, Melbourne (1990-1995) MD
Ensemble Cyfoes Libra (1991-1993) MD
Cerddorfa Melbourne Cerddorfa Symffoni Cerddoriaeth (1991)
Cerddorfa Ieuenctid Melbourne (1991-1992) GMD
Cerddorfa Ieuenctid Percy Grainger (1991) Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Cynorthwyol
Cerddorfa Siambr Geminiani (1991) GMD
Côr Merched Awstralia (1988-89) MD
Cerddorfa Siambr Prifysgol Adelaide (1988) GMD
Cymdeithas Gorawl Prifysgol y Fflint (1986) MD
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
- Cymrawd Ymchwil er Anrhydedd, Ysgol y Celfyddydau a'r Dyniaethau, Prifysgol Abertawe (2008-14)
- Tiwtor yn City Literary Institute, Llundain (2000-02)
- Darlithydd mewn Cerddoleg yn Sefydliad Colchester (1996-99)
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
Ers 2016 rwyf wedi goruchwylio nifer o draethodau hir myfyrwyr MA, gyda phynciau yn amrywio o opera baróc Ffrangeg i gerddoriaeth offerynnol Eidalaidd o ddiwedd yr ail ganrif ar bymtheg.
Yn 2022 dechreuais oruchwylio PhD a wnaed gan y chwaraewr recordydd proffesiynol James Brookmyre, a fydd yn canolbwyntio'n ddwys ar gerddoriaeth offerynnol Stuart Court-in-Exile yn Saint-Germain-en-Laye o 1688-1718.