Conductor, Organ, Piano, Composer

Martin Baker

About

Albums

Sheppard: Media vita & Other Sacred Music

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

Alonso Lobo: Lamentations & Other Sacred Music

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

Byrd: The 3 Masses; Ave verum corpus

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

MacMillan: Tenebrae Responsories & Other Choral Works

Westminster Cathedral Choir, London Brass, Martin Baker

Miserere: A Sequence of Music for Lent, St Joseph & the Annunciation

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

Victoria: Missa De Beata Maria Virgine & Missa Surge propera

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

Palestrina: Missa Tu es Petrus & Missa Te Deum laudamus

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

From the Vaults of Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral Choir, Martin Baker

Appears On

The English Anthem 2: Stanford, Bainton, Joubert, Mathias, Finzi

Andrew Lucas, St Paul's Cathedral Choir, John Scott

Stravinsky: Mass & Symphony of Psalms

Westminster Cathedral Choir, City of London Sinfonia, James O'Donnell

AboutMartin Baker

Martin Baker has been the Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral since February 2000. Born in Manchester in 1967 and educated at Chetham’s School of Music and Downing College, Cambridge, Martin Baker held positions at Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedrals before being appointed Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey at the age of twenty-four. His performances with the Abbey Choir received wide critical acclaim, cementing his reputation as a brilliant organist and dynamic choral conductor. Since his appointment as Master of Music, The Choir of Westminster Cathedral has continued to develop its high profile both in the Roman Catholic Church and in the musical world in general. As a solo organist, Martin Baker is much in demand all over the world, playing frequently in the United States. A specialist in improvisation, his playing is renowned for its verve and spontaneity.

The Remarkable Career and Contributions of Martin Baker

Martin Baker is an internationally recognized figure in the world of music, renowned as one of Britain’s leading choral conductors and concert organists. His career is deeply intertwined with his transformative tenure as Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, a prestigious role he held from 2000 to 2019. During this period, he significantly contributed to the choir’s profile within the Roman Catholic Church and the broader musical world.

Notable Recordings and Projects

Throughout his career, Martin Baker has directed the Westminster Cathedral Choir in acclaimed recordings and performances. His focus has been primarily on sacred choral works spanning several centuries. Some of his most distinguished projects and featured albums include "Sheppard: Media vita & Other Sacred Music," "Alonso Lobo: Lamentations & Other Sacred Music," and "Byrd: The 3 Masses; Ave verum corpus," among others. These projects frequently highlight the Westminster Cathedral Choir, often under Baker’s direction, and showcase a repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony and English liturgical classics to modern choral masterpieces.

Career Highlights

Born in Manchester in 1967, Baker was educated at prestigious institutions, including Chetham’s School of Music, Downing College, Cambridge, the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, and St Ambrose College. He has held prominent positions at St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster Cathedral, developing a reputation for both his conducting and his solo organ performances. Known for his expertise in organ improvisation, Baker won first prize in the Improvisation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival in 1997.

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