Increasingly in demand as a session musician, Ed has recorded the cimbalom and dulcimer solos on numerous film soundtracks including the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Dracula Untold, The Man From U.N.C.L.E, Captain America, Pete’s Dragon, Mary Poppins Returns, Phantom Thread, Sideshow, The King of Thieves, and Wonka. He also recorded the music for the 2025 release of the video game Genshin Impact, appeared on the Robbie Williams album Party Like a Russian, and the Mark Knopfler track Mr Solomons Said.
Other notable performances include the world premiere of John Casken’s Broken Consort, a concerto for Accordion, Electric Violin, Mandolin and Cimbalom at the BBC Proms and on BBC Television as cimbalom soloist with the BBC Philharmonic; Turnage’s Your Rockaby for BBC Television with BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis; Kurtag’s Stele with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Christoph von Dohnanyi at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, CBSO and Sakari Oramo, LPO and Vladimir Jurowski at the Royal Festival Hall, and BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sakari Oramo at the 2026 BBC Proms; Stravinsky’s Renard with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Sir Simon Rattle at the Cité de la Musique, Paris, and with Britten Sinfonia at Glyndebourne; Boulez’s Eclat with both London Sinfonietta and BBC Symphony Orchestra; Andriessen’s The Hague Hacking with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen at the BBC Proms; Monti’s Czardas with Kennedy and Kroke Band for ITV at the Classical Brit Awards; Birtwistle’s operas The Second Mrs Kong, and Gawain, and Louis Andriesson’s La Comedia all with BBC Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins; Iain Bell’s opera Jack the Ripper with ENO and Martyn Brabbins; George Benjamin’s opera Into the Little Hill with Madrid Opera at the Teatro Real, Madrid; Gladiator with RSNO and RPCO, and Lord of the Rings with LPO and RPCO. Classical Recordings include Elvis Costello’s Il Sogno with the LSO and Michael Tilson Thomas; Dutilleux's Mystère de L'Instant with both the BBC Philharmonic and BBC National Orchestra of Wales; Stravinsky's Ragtime with the European Soloists Ensemble and Ashkenazy; Debussy's La Plus que Lente and Adès Dawn with the Hallé Orchestra; Jerry Goldsmith's The Chairman with RSNO.
From classical training to film soundstages, Ed Cervenka brings unparalleled expertise in cimbalom, dulcimer, and monochord. His work adds distinctive acoustic resonance to contemporary productions.
Trusted by leading UK recording studios and sound stages, Ed provides live in person and remote session recording.
Connect directly for session bookings, orchestral work, instrument hire, or bespoke consultation on your project's unique acoustic needs.