STEPHEN WILLIAMS
Principal Double Bass
Stephen Williams was born in Wales and attended a vast comprehensive school where everyone had the chance to learn a musical instrument.
Bass lessons started when he was 14, he played in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the first ever European Community Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado, and studied at the Guildhall School of Music with Tom Martin and Kevin Rundell.
Stephen is founder member and principal bass with Britten Sinfonia, playing in their acclaimed Proms debut in 1999 and the Britten Sinfonia Soloists debut at Wigmore Hall.
Since 1987 he has been principal double bass of the English Chamber Orchestra, with whom he has played in over 30 countries and recorded as soloist.
Stephen also plays with the Gaudier Ensemble who hold their own festivals in Dorset and Holland, and record regularly for Hyperion.
His bass was made in the 16th Century by Gasparo da Salo.