CHIARO audio - classical music recording and production

photo by Allison Buhagiar

JOHN CROFT

BMus (Hons), BA, MMus (Dist.), PhD

In addition to his work as a recording engineer, John Croft is a composer and music academic. His work has been performed by soloists and ensembles around the world, including Ensemble l’Itinéraire, the BBC Philharmonic, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Exposé, Distractfold Ensemble, Explore Ensemble, and many others. As recording engineer his work appears on a range of labels in including Resonus Classics, First Hand Records, Orchid Classics, EM Records, and Métier.

“The sound, engineered and mastered by John Croft, is lovely throughout.” Gramophone

“John Croft[’s] skill in assembling ensemble and voice in a way that sounds natural and “live” is at times almost miraculous.” Bernard Hughes, The Arts Desk

EMILY BAINES

BMus (Hons), PGDip, MMus (Dist.), DMus

Emily is a performer, lecturer, and musical director, also working as a producer and accredited coach. She trained as a recorder player and classical mezzo-soprano, now also performing regularly on a variety of renaissance/folk woodwinds. She holds a doctorate in Historically Informed Performance, as well as performing regularly with contemporary ensembles, including commissioning new works for historical instruments. Her playing is regularly heard on radio, TV, film and in the theatre, as well as concert halls and on recordings.

THOMAS PICKERING

As a virtuoso recorder player, baroque flautist and harpsichordist, Thomas is a dynamic and versatile force within the early music scene. Alongside his performing career, he is also developing a distinctive profile as a recording producer for early-music projects, bringing stylistic insight and a collaborative approach to a growing number of album recordings. Recent performance engagements have included playing in the Royal Opera House’s Olivier Award winning production of Alcina, ENO's Olivier Award winning production of Noye’s Fludde, playing Principal Recorder for The Early Opera Company's production of Venus and Adonis, and touring with Opera North as their Principal Recorder player for a production of The Greek Passion.

Additionally, he co-directs internationally acclaimed ensemble Apollo’s Cabinet. Winners of the Royal Overseas League Mixed Ensemble prize, Utrecht Oude Muziek Competiton and the Göttingen International Händel Competition, the group offer a signature mix of acting, dancing, poetry and drama to bring historical performance to modern audiences.