© Paul Tucker
peter mccarthy was born in Nottingham in 1954, though mainly brought up in Yorkshire.
A late starter as a musician, he went to Leeds University to study music in 1973 at the time that composer Alexander Goehr was in charge of the music department, taking composition lessons with Professor Goehr and double bass lessons in Huddersfield with Peter Leah.
He became a career specialist in early music performance practice, playing double bass, violone and viol. He was a member of the English Concert for 24 years.
Since the beginning of the 21st century Peter has run (and played for) St. James’ Baroque and the concert series Music in the Village (Walthamstow), which he founded. In later life he has returned to composition.