Simon Rattle

Sir Simon Denis Rattle (born January 19, 1955) is an English conductor. He rose to prominence as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and is currently principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO).

Early Life

Rattle was born in Liverpool. He learnt the piano and violin, but his early work with orchestras was as a percussionist. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1971. There he was able to frequently conduct, and in 1974, his graduation year, he won the John Player Conductor Competition. After organising and conducting a stunning account of Mahler's Second Symphony whilst still at the Academy, he was talent spotted by the music agent Askonas Holt and has since been managed by them.

Related Topics:
Liverpool - Piano - Violin - Percussionist - Royal Academy of Music - London

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