Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

1969 in Holstebro, Denmark

 

Thomas Søndergård is a Danish conductor who has made a name for himself in the classical music world. Born in 1969 in Frederiksberg, Denmark, Søndergård grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a music teacher. Søndergård began playing the trumpet at a young age and quickly developed a passion for music. Søndergård studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he received his diploma in trumpet performance in 1993. He then went on to study conducting at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland. It was there that he discovered his true calling as a conductor. Søndergård's career as a conductor began in 1997 when he was appointed as the principal trumpet of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed as the orchestra's conductor in 2009. Since then, he has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Søndergård's most notable performances was his debut with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in 2012. He conducted a program of works by Sibelius, including the composer's Symphony No. 2. The performance was widely praised by critics, who noted Søndergård's ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music. Søndergård has also been recognized for his work as a conductor. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Queen Ingrid Foundation Prize for his contributions to Danish music. He has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for his recordings with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor, Søndergård is also a passionate advocate for contemporary music. He has commissioned and premiered works by many of today's leading composers, including Magnus Lindberg, Mark-Anthony Turnage, and Anna Clyne. Søndergård's commitment to contemporary music was on full display in 2018 when he conducted the world premiere of Clyne's "Dance" with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the orchestra as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations and was hailed as a triumph by critics. Søndergård's tenure as the principal conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra came to an end in 2018. However, he continues to be in demand as a guest conductor and has a busy schedule of performances lined up for the coming years. Overall, Thomas Søndergård is a talented and accomplished conductor who has made a significant contribution to the classical music world. His passion for music, commitment to contemporary composers, and ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music have earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading conductors of his generation.

More....