Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

May 20, 1926 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Death

:

September 15, 2012

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

George Hurst was a renowned British conductor and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1926, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hurst grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Hurst started playing the cello at the age of six and later switched to the double bass. He attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult and composition with Alan Bush. Hurst began his career as a double bass player with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1946. He later joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as principal double bassist and assistant conductor. In 1959, he was appointed the principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1968. During his tenure, Hurst transformed the orchestra into one of the leading ensembles in the UK. He also made several recordings with the orchestra, including works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and Holst. In 1968, Hurst was appointed the principal conductor of the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra (now the BBC Philharmonic). He held the position until 1973 and made several recordings with the orchestra, including works by Mahler, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky. In 1973, he was appointed the principal conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1979. During his tenure, Hurst raised the profile of the orchestra and made several recordings, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Hurst was also a sought-after guest conductor and worked with many leading orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius. In addition to his conducting career, Hurst was also a respected music educator. He taught conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, and the University of Surrey. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as conductors, including Andrew Davis, Mark Elder, and Yan Pascal Tortelier. Hurst received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1975, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. In 1994, 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. In 2000, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey. Hurst continued to conduct well into his 70s and was known for his energy and enthusiasm on the podium. He died on September 15, 2012, at the age of 86. His legacy as a conductor and music educator continues to inspire generations of musicians.

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