Simon Standage, undoubtably one of England's foremost ambassadors of the baroque violin, has performed since over 35 years as soloist and leader [concert master] with many of the world's leading period orchestras.

He co-founded the English Concert with Trevor Pinnock in 1973, led the English Chamber Orchestra from 1974 to 1978, the City of London Sinfonia from 1980 to 1989 and was Associate Director of the Academy of Ancient Music from 1991-1995. Simon Standage founded the Salomon Quartet in 1981, and co-founded the group Collegium Musicum 90 in 1991 with Richard Hickox.

In July 2009 he premiered with Hendrik Bouman the Classical Violin & Piano Sonata in B flat major which Hendrik Bouman composed for him. In Autumn 2009 he joined Hendrik Bouman as leader and soloist of The Baroque Muse with which he premiered and recorded Hendrik Bouman's Violin Concerto in D major, of which he is the dedicatee, released in January 2011. His recording on CD of the Fantasy for Violin in G major which Hendrik Bouman composed for him will be released in 2011. More recently in February and March 2001 Hendrik Bouman composed the Duo in E major for two violins and the Trio Sonata in A major for two violins and basso continuo for Simon Standage and Olivier Brault.

Simon Standage teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and the Franz Liszt Akademy of Music, and gives masterclasses world-wide. He has recorded extensively for DGG/Archiv, Decca, Chandos and Hyperion, and garned numerous prestigious international prizes and awards. In 2010, he was awarded the Telemann Prize from the City of Magdeburg, Germany for his special contribution to Telemann’s works in concert and recordings. He plays on a violoin by Giovanni Grancino (1685 Milano).