A gifted singer and a brilliant multi-instrumentalist – with a legendary mastery of the recorder – David Munrow was a transformative force in early music. In 1967, alongside Christopher Hogwood, he founded the Early Music Consort of London, an ensemble that would redefine historical performance. His prolific discography on Warner Classics and Nonesuch remains a treasure trove of reference recordings, testifying to his immense virtuosity, eclecticism, and pioneering spirit.
When he died in May 1976, at only thirty-three, Munrow left behind a recorded legacy that, in its breadth and significance, rivaled – and in some respects surpassed – that of far more senior figures. His output ranged from the twelfth century to the high Baroque and the great vocal masterpieces of the Renaissance – with occasional forays into the twentieth century. A world-class director and a compulsive collector of instruments from around the globe, Munrow brought ancient sounds vividly to life with an infectious energy that continues to resonate today.
