Sir Simon Rattle

Sir Simon Rattle 1955-, British conductor, b. Liverpool, studied Royal Academy of Music, London. Originally a percussionist, he became part of the Merseyside Youth Orchestra at 11 and of the Royal Liverpool Orchestra at 15. In 1974 he became the youngest person ever to win the John Player International Conducting Competition, launching his career on the podium. From 1980 to 1998 he was the popular and critically acclaimed principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which he transformed into a major orchestra. Known for his innovative and dynamic style and wide musical interests, Rattle also has frequently led the Glyndebourne Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He succeeded Claudio Abbado as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2002.

Bibliography: See N. Kenyon, Simon Rattle: The Making of a Conductor (1987).

Rattle, Sir Simon (1955– ) English conductor. Rattle made his repuitation as principal conductor (1980–98) and music director (1990–98) of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Known for his championing of new music and interpretations of Mahler, Rattle was chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (2002– ).

Rattle, (Sir) Simon (b Liverpool, 1955). Eng. conductor. Played perc. in Merseyside Youth Orch. at age of 8 and later in RLPO. Founded and cond. Liverpool Sinfonia 1970–2. First prize John Player int. cond. award 1974, leading to 2-year contract with Bournemouth SO and Sinfonietta. RFH début 1975. Professional opera début 1975, GTO (The Rake's Progress). Glyndebourne début 1977. Worked with London Sinfonietta and EMT, 1976. Amer. début 1979, Los Angeles PO. Prin. guest cond. Los Angeles PO from 1981. Prin. cond. CBSO 1980–98. Cond. f. Eng. public p. of Janáček's Osud, London 1983 (concert). Débuts: ENO 1985; Amer. opera (Los Angeles) 1988; CG 1990; Salzburg Fest. 1993. CBE 1987. Knighted 1994.