Rattle, Sir Simon

(b Liverpool, 19 Jan 1955). English conductor. After displaying early musical talents, he played percussion with the National Youth Orchestra and Royal Liverpool PO before studying the piano, percussion and conducting at the RAM (1971–4). In 1974 he won the John Player International Conductors’ Award, as a result of which he was appointed assistant conductor of the Bournemouth SO and Bournemouth Sinfonietta. He made his professional début conducting the Nash Ensemble at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in February 1975, and the following year conducted the New Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal...

(b Liverpool, 19 Jan 1955). English conductor. After displaying early musical talents, he played percussion with the National Youth Orchestra and Royal Liverpool PO before studying the piano, percussion and conducting at the RAM (1971–4). In 1974 he won the John Player International Conductors’ Award, as a result of which he was appointed assistant conductor of the Bournemouth SO and Bournemouth Sinfonietta. He made his professional début conducting the Nash Ensemble at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in February 1975, and the following year conducted the New Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall – at 21, the youngest conductor ever to appear with the orchestra. From 1977 to 1980 he was both associate conductor of the Royal Liverpool PO and assistant conductor of the BBC Scottish SO. From 1978 to 1983 he was principal conductor of the London Choral Society and from 1979 to 1998, of the CBSO, of which he was music director from 1990.