Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Gerhard Markson was a renowned classical music conductor, born on August 13, 1941, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of a Jewish family who fled to England during World War II. Markson grew up in London and began his musical education at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied violin and piano. Later, he continued his studies at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he focused on conducting. Markson's career as a conductor began in 1967 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and was appointed as the principal conductor of the orchestra in 1971. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler. In 1978, Markson was appointed as the principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, a position he held for 22 years. During his time with the orchestra, he led them in numerous performances and recordings, including works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich. He also conducted the orchestra in performances with renowned soloists such as Nigel Kennedy and Maxim Vengerov. Markson was also a frequent guest conductor with orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his ability to bring out the best in the musicians he worked with and for his attention to detail in rehearsals. One of the highlights of Markson's career was his appointment as the principal conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in 2006. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Sibelius. He also conducted the orchestra in performances with renowned soloists such as Nicola Benedetti and Julian Lloyd Webber. Markson was also a respected educator and mentor to young musicians. He was a professor of conducting at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and was a frequent guest conductor at music schools and festivals around the world. He was known for his ability to inspire and guide young musicians and for his dedication to the art of conducting. Throughout his career, Markson received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1996, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his services to German music. He was also awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 2001 and the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad in 2011. Markson continued to conduct and perform until his death on October 3, 2017, at the age of 76. He was remembered by his colleagues and fans as a passionate and dedicated musician who had a profound impact on the world of classical music. His legacy lives on through his recordings, performances, and the countless musicians he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

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