Keith Hartley

Keith Hartley joined the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in 1987 as sub-principal double bass, and was presented with the ROH Silver Medal for 25 years service from Lord Tony Hall in February 2013. Prior to that, he had been a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Northern & BBC Concert Orchestras. The Radio 3 programme: Building a Library recently made the Jascha Horenstein recording of Mahler “Das Lied von der Erde” with the BBC Northern Symphony and Alfreda Hodgson (alto) / John Mitchinson (tenor) it's First Choice Recommendation. This programme was recorded over 35 years ago!

I was fortunate to record the same work with Rudolf Kempe & Janet Baker in 1975. Many of these old recordings are available on the BBC Legends label. Rudolf Kempe will also be remembered for his Ein Heldenleben, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (BBC Proms 1974)

Particularly during the thirteen years (1974-87) as a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Keith toured and recorded extensively. Here is a selection of his latest recordings:
Royal Opera CD's  ·  ·  Royal Opera DVD's  ·  ·  Royal Ballet DVD's

For many years, Keith Hartley was also the bass player with the London Harpsichord Ensemble, and can be heard on the Albinoni, Telemann and Handel oboe concertos with Sarah Francis.
(These recordings are rated 3 and 4 stars in the Penquin Guide.)