Described by The Strad as “playing with beguiling warmth and affection” and by American Record Guide as “simply spectacular”, internationally acclaimed violinist Clare Howick is at the forefront of a generation of inspiring violinists.
Clare’s debut CD, Cyril Scott – Sonata Lirica and Other Violin Works (on the Dutton Epoch label) won great acclaim and was awarded ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone magazine. Her recordings (for Naxos) of violin works by British Women Composers and Cyril Scott – Violin Sonatas 1-3, have also received much praise, including ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Classical Music magazine, ‘Recording of the Month’ on MusicWeb International, and ' Recommended Recording' on BBC Radio 3 Record Review.
Clare's latest recital disc for Naxos, British Music for Violin and Piano, which includes Elgar's Violin Sonata and rarities by Delius, Scott, Bridge and Ireland, was selected as 'Drive Discovery of the Week' on Classic FM, featured on BBC Radio 3 and was awarded 'Editor's Choice' by AllMusic.com, with The Strad praising 'a ravishing account of the Elgar Sonata that tends to sweep the board...utterly captivating'.
Her recent debut concerto disc, British Violin Concertos, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, featuring three world premieres of violin concertos by Gordon Jacob, Kenneth Leighton and Paul Patterson, was selected as a ‘Recording of the Year 2018’ by MusicWeb International. Fanfare Magazine described Clare’s playing as ‘unfailingly expressive...she is a first-class musician’ and The Strad praised her ‘brilliant performances...outstanding premiere recordings’.
Both British Violin Concertos and British Music for Violin and Piano were in the Top 15 and Top 30 of the UK Specialist Classical Chart.
Her latest discs for SOMM, British Violin Sonatas and Entente Musicale (a celebration of Anglo-French music) received rave reviews “this performance is superb...I cannot imagine a better performance...” “…authority, integrity and formidable musicianship...magnificent…I loved the mastery of phrasing…she reveals other strengths and parallels in this very familiar piece (Debussy). Likewise Ravel's habañera...this new version is completely compelling, indeed hypnotically sensuous, in its own right…With Tasmin Little having recently laid down her bow, there is a strong case for Clare Howick becoming the leading proponent of British violin repertoire...A unique and successful combination of familiar repertoire given performances of the highest quality.”
Clare has performed most of the violin concerto repertoire (encompassing 52 concerti and works) with several orchestras including the Philharmonia Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and has performed at major festivals in the UK, such as the Covent Garden, Buxton and Cheltenham International Festival. She has broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, Radio France, ABC Classic FM Australia, as well as in Sweden, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, and has collaborated with many artists, including Lynn Harrell, Grant Llewellyn, Marin Alsop, Kazushi Ono, Jaap van Zweden, Radoslav Szulc, Alexander Shelley, Sam Haywood, Leon Bosch, Philip Dukes, Sophia Rahman and John Paul Ekins.
As a champion of new music, Clare has premiered many new works, both on disc and in performance. She gave the world premiere performance at St John’s Smith Square of Violin Concerto No.2 ('Serenade') for violin and orchestra by Paul Patterson, which was specially written for her, and which she has recently recorded.
Clare combines solo and chamber performances, at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall, and has appeared as a Guest Leader of many orchestras, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ulster Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, and the Orchestra of English National Opera.
Clare was a student of Maurice Hasson at the Royal Academy of Music and also studied with Anne-Sophie Mutter, Zahkar Bron (teacher of Maxim Vengerov), Ida Haendel and Dorothy DeLay (teacher of Itzhak Perlman). Clare won First Prize at the Jellinek Competition as well as many other prizes and has received awards from The Worshipful Company of Musicians, The Tillett Trust and the Countess of Munster Trust, which also sponsored many concerto and recital performances.