Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

August 31, 1979

Genre

:

Choral

 

Ryan Wigglesworth is a British composer, conductor, and pianist who has made a significant impact on the classical music scene. Born on April 31, 1979, in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, Wigglesworth showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a singer. Wigglesworth attended Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, where he studied piano and composition. He later went on to study at the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree, respectively. As a composer, Wigglesworth has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and soloists. His music is known for its intricate harmonies and use of unconventional instrumentation. Some of his most notable compositions include "Augenlieder," a song cycle for soprano and orchestra, and "The Genesis of Secrecy," a chamber opera based on the life of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Wigglesworth's career as a conductor began in 2002 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor, and in 2005, he was appointed as the principal guest conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has also conducted many other orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of Wigglesworth's most significant achievements as a conductor was his appointment as the music director of the English National Opera in 2015. He was the youngest person ever to hold this position and was praised for his fresh approach to programming and his commitment to new music. During his tenure, he conducted many critically acclaimed productions, including a new production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and a world premiere of Nico Muhly's "Marnie." Wigglesworth has also received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2008, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize for his work "Echo and Narcissus." He has also been nominated for several British Composer Awards and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of York in 2016. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Wigglesworth is also an accomplished pianist. He has performed as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Hallé Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He has also recorded several albums as a pianist, including a recording of works by Schubert and Schumann. Overall, Ryan Wigglesworth is a versatile and talented musician who has made a significant impact on the classical music scene. His innovative compositions, dynamic conducting, and virtuosic piano playing have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting and influential musicians of his generation.

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