Simon Rattle
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Biography
One of the world's most successful and most decorated classical music conductors, Sir Simon Rattle has performed with most of the top orchestras in the most prestigious concert halls all over Europe, America and other parts of the world. Born in Liverpool on January 19, 1955, he initially studied piano and violin and then concentrated on playing percussion with the Merseyside Youth Orchestra. He was still in his teens when he first turned to conducting, founding the Liverpool Sinfonia and going on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. A prodigious student, his graduation coincided with winning first prize at the John Player International Conductors Competition, leading on to him becoming assistant conductor with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. In 1976 he toured the US with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra and worked extensively across America; in 1981 he was appointed principal guest conductor with Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and, through the years. He also developed a close and long-running association with the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival and, in 1980, was appointed principal conductor - and then music director - with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for nineteen years (1980-1998). Another of his most significant positions was as chief conductor and artistic advisor to Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (2002-2018), where highlights included a choreographed performance of Stravinsky's The Rites of Spring and he made a major impact. His contract was originally intended only to run until 2012 but was extended at the request of the orchestra to 2018. He also became a familiar figure on TV with his Leaving Home series and built a hugely successful career, with over 80 recordings to his name, with various orchestras playing the works of Mahler, Brahms and many more. His 1989 recording of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, which featured in a 1993 TV production, won particular acclaim, while other highlights include recordings of Holst's The Planets, Bruckner's 4th Symphony, Debussy's La Mer and Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante. He has married three times - initially to American soprano Elise Ross, then writer Candace Allen and in 2008 to Czech soprano Magdalena Kozena - and became one of most admired and recognisable figures in classical music. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1987 and in 1994 received a Knighthood. In 2017 he began a new role as music director with London Symphony Orchestra, before being appointed at the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra since 2023.
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Albums
Evgeny Svetlanov & USSR State Symphony Orchestra
Balakirev: Symphony No. 2, In Bohemia, Overture on Three Russian Songs
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Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27: IV. Allegro vivace
- Litania do Marii Panny Op. 59: I. Dwunastodzwieczna cytaro
- Clarinet Concerto: Poco adagio featuring Sabine Meyer
- Clarinet Concerto: Allegro non troppo featuring Sabine Meyer
- Flute Concerto: II. Allegretto featuring Emmanuel Pahud
- Clarinet Concerto: Allegretto un poco featuring Sabine Meyer
- Clarinet Concerto: Allegro vivace featuring Sabine Meyer
- Symphony No. 4, Op.60 'Sinfonia Concertante': Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ad ansioso by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony No. 4, Op.60 'Sinfonia Concertante': Andante molto sostenuto by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony No. 4, Op.60 'Sinfonia Concertante': Moderato, Tempo comodo by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- A Dream on the Volga, Op. 16: Overture
- Kai - conclusion
- Suite No. 1 in G Minor: V. March - Allegro moderato
- Suite No. 1 in G Minor: IV. Basso ostinato - Andante sostenuto
- Suite No. 1 in G Minor: III. Scherzo - Allegro con fuoco
- Suite No. 1 in G Minor: II. A Dance - Allegretto giocoso
- Suite No. 1 in G Minor: I. Variation on a Russian Theme
- Egyptian Nights Ballet Suite, Op. 50a: VI. Pas de deux - Waltz
- Egyptian Nights Ballet Suite, Op. 50a: V. Snake Charmers Dance
- Egyptian Nights Ballet Suite, Op. 50a: IV. Scarf Dance
- Egyptian Nights Ballet Suite, Op. 50a: III. Eastern Dance
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor Op. 104: III. Poco vivace by Simon Rattle
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor Op. 104: I. Allegro molto moderato by Simon Rattle
- Egyptian Nights Ballet Suite, Op. 50a: II. Slaves Dance
