Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

June 23, 1950

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Nicholas Cleobury is a renowned British conductor and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on 5th September 1950 in Bromley, Kent, Cleobury grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a music teacher. This early exposure to music sparked Cleobury's interest in the art form, and he began to learn the piano and the organ at a young age. Cleobury's musical education began at the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition and conducting. He later continued his studies at the University of Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar at King's College. During this time, he also worked as a conductor and organist at various churches in London. In 1977, Cleobury was appointed as the conductor of the Oxford Bach Choir, a position he held for ten years. During his tenure, he led the choir in numerous performances of Bach's choral works, including the St. Matthew Passion and the Mass in B Minor. He also conducted the choir in performances of other works by composers such as Handel, Mozart, and Brahms. In 1984, Cleobury was appointed as the conductor of the City of Birmingham Choir, a position he held for six years. During this time, he conducted the choir in performances of works by composers such as Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Britten. He also worked with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducting performances of works by composers such as Mahler and Shostakovich. In 1990, Cleobury was appointed as the conductor of the BBC Singers, a position he held for 17 years. During his tenure, he led the choir in numerous performances of works by contemporary composers, including John Tavener, James MacMillan, and Judith Weir. He also conducted the choir in performances of works by Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Cleobury has also worked as a guest conductor with numerous orchestras and choirs around the world. He has conducted performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has also conducted performances at numerous music festivals, including the Proms in London, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Adelaide Festival. In addition to his work as a conductor, Cleobury is also a composer. He has written numerous works for choir, including anthems, motets, and canticles. His compositions have been performed by choirs around the world, including the BBC Singers, the King's College Choir, and the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge. Cleobury has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. In 2009, he was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music, which is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the musical life of the nation. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Birmingham in 2010. Throughout his career, Cleobury has been a passionate advocate for the music of Bach. He has conducted numerous performances of Bach's choral works, and has worked to promote the composer's music to audiences around the world. He has also been a champion of contemporary music, and has worked to commission and perform new works by living composers.

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