Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 20, 1956 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Vocal

 

John Harle is a renowned British saxophonist, composer, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 20, 1956, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Harle grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a professional jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Harle started playing the saxophone at the age of eight and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Harle's musical education began at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he studied under the tutelage of Joe Temperley. He later went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for saxophone performance. Harle's early career was marked by his association with the London Sinfonietta, a contemporary music ensemble that he joined in 1979. He quickly established himself as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation, and his virtuosic performances earned him critical acclaim. In the 1980s, Harle began to explore the possibilities of the saxophone as a solo instrument in classical music. He commissioned works from leading composers such as Michael Nyman, Harrison Birtwistle, and John Tavener, and his performances of these works helped to establish the saxophone as a legitimate instrument in the classical repertoire. Harle's collaborations with Nyman were particularly fruitful, and he played a key role in the development of the composer's minimalist style. Harle's breakthrough as a composer came in 1986 with the premiere of his Saxophone Concerto at the BBC Proms. The piece was an instant success, and it established Harle as a major figure in contemporary classical music. The concerto was followed by a series of other works for saxophone and orchestra, including Ranting and Reeling, which was commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 1992. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Harle has also been active as a conductor. He has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Harle's conducting style is marked by his deep understanding of the music he conducts and his ability to bring out the best in the musicians he works with. Harle's career has been marked by numerous highlights and awards. In 1989, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year award, and in 1990, he was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for his contribution to contemporary music. Harle has also been awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors' Gold Badge Award and the BASCA Fellowship Award. Harle's discography is extensive, and he has recorded over 80 albums as a solo artist and collaborator. His recordings range from classical works to jazz and pop, and he has worked with a diverse range of artists, including Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, and Marc Almond. Harle's most recent album, The Shadow of the Duke, is a tribute to the music of Duke Ellington, and it features collaborations with a number of leading jazz musicians. In addition to his work as a musician, Harle is also a respected educator. He has taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Northern College of Music, and he has mentored many of the leading saxophonists of the current generation.

More....