David Earl is a distinguished South African pianist and composer whose early musical promise led to a professional recital at 16 and a concerto debut at 17. After studying in London at Trinity College of Music and performing at Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3, he settled in Cambridge, where he has taught at the University for over two decades. Earl’s compositional career began in 1980 with the ballet Chéri for The Scottish Ballet and has since spanned numerous genres, including ballet, orchestral concertos, chamber music, choral works, film scores, and operas. His major compositions include concertos for a range of instruments, the acclaimed Trumpets from the Steep, and Buddhist-themed works reflecting his ordination into The Western Buddhist Order. He has collaborated with leading musicians such as Tasmin Little and Alexander Chaushian, and his recordings have received critical acclaim. Recent highlights include the operas Mary and the Conqueror and Strange Ghost, A Carbon Symphony recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and his latest works Lawrence of Arabia (2021) and a Piano Quartet (2023).