Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

1972 in Gateshead, Tyne and Ware, England

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

John Wilson is a renowned British conductor, arranger, and musicologist who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on May 4, 1972, in Gateshead, England, Wilson showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later learned to play the trumpet and joined the local brass band. Wilson's parents were both music teachers, and they encouraged his passion for music. Wilson attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied conducting with Neil Thomson and composition with Joseph Horovitz. He also studied musicology at the University of Oxford, where he earned a master's degree. During his studies, Wilson became interested in the music of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly the works of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Richard Rodgers. He began arranging their music for orchestras, and his arrangements soon gained popularity. In 1994, Wilson founded the John Wilson Orchestra, which specializes in performing music from the golden age of Hollywood and Broadway. The orchestra has become known for its authentic recreations of the sound of the big band era, and has performed at major venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Wilson has also conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted numerous operas, including productions of Porgy and Bess, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance. In 2010, he was appointed Associate Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. One of Wilson's most notable achievements was his reconstruction of the original score of Gershwin's musical, Porgy and Bess. The original score had been lost for many years, and Wilson spent several years researching and piecing together the score from various sources. His reconstruction was premiered in 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and was hailed as a major achievement in the world of musicology. Wilson has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 2011, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for his work with the John Wilson Orchestra. In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Sunderland for his services to music. He was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to music. In addition to his work as a conductor and arranger, Wilson is also a respected musicologist and has written extensively on the music of the 1920s and 1930s. He has contributed to many books and journals on the subject, and has given lectures and talks at universities and music festivals around the world. Wilson's passion for music and his dedication to preserving the legacy of the great composers of the past have made him one of the most respected figures in the world of classical music. His work with the John Wilson Orchestra and his contributions to musicology have earned him a place in the pantheon of great musicians, and his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.

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