Massey, Andrew (John)

Massey, Andrew (John), English conductor; b. Nottingham, May 1, 1946. He studied cello, flute, and trumpet while in high school, and also began to compose; then pursued musical training at the Univ. of Oxford (B.A., 1968; M.A., 1981) and at the Univ. of Nottingham (M.A., 1969); he also studied composition with Berio, Lutosawski, and Keller at the Dartington Summer School and conducting with Hurst at the Canford Summer School. He was principal conductor of the Derby Concert Orch. (1969–76), the Apollo Sym. Orch. (1969–78), and the Reading Sym. Orch. (1972–78). From 1972 to 1978 he also was senior lecturer in music at the Middlesex Polytechnic, where he was principal conductor of the Middlesex Phil. (1972–75). After serving as asst. conductor of the Cleveland Orch. (1978–80), he was assoc. conductor of the New Orleans Sym. Orch. (1980–86) and the San Francisco Sym. (1986–88). From 1985 to 1991 he was music director of the R.I. Phil. in Providence. In 1986–87 he was music advisor of the Fresno (Calif.) Phil, and then was its music director from 1987 to 1993. He was music director designate (1990–91) and then music director (from 1991) of the Toledo (Ohio) Sym. Orch. In addition to his admirable interpretations of the standard repertory, Massey has displayed remarkable facility with works by contemporary composers, among them Ligeti, Boulez, Messiaen, Carter, Bolcom, Knussen, and Drew.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire