Simon Rattle

2.1. Early Life and Education

Simon Rattle was born in Liverpool, England, on January 19, 1955. His parents were Pauline Lila Violet (née Greening) and Denis Guttridge Rattle, who served as a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II. He received his education at Liverpool College. Although Rattle initially studied both piano and violin, his early orchestral work prominently featured him as a percussionist for the Merseyside Youth Orchestra, which is now known as the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

In 1971, Rattle enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London, which is now part of the University of London, where he focused on piano and conducting. His teachers at the academy included John Carewe. During his graduation year in 1974, Rattle achieved significant early recognition by winning the John Player International Conducting Competition. While still at the academy, he organized and conducted a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony, a performance that caught the attention of music agent Martin Campbell-White of Harold Holt Ltd (now Askonas Holt Ltd), who has since managed Rattle's career.

In the academic year 1980-1981, Rattle pursued studies in English Language and Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford. He was drawn to the college by the reputation of Dorothy Bednarowska, a fellow and tutor in English. In recognition of his achievements, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Anne's in 1991 and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music honoris causa by the University of Oxford in 1999.

2.2. Early Career

Rattle's professional conducting career began immediately after his graduation. In 1974, he was appointed assistant conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. At the age of 20, in 1975, he joined the music staff of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Over the next 28 years, he conducted more than 200 performances of 13 different operas at Glyndebourne and on tour.

His debut at Proms at the Royal Albert Hall took place on August 9, 1976, where he conducted the London Sinfonietta. The program included Harrison Birtwistle's Meridian and Arnold Schoenberg's First Chamber Symphony. In 1977, he took on the role of assistant conductor for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. That same year, he made his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival, becoming the youngest conductor to do so, leading a performance of Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen. By his early twenties, Rattle was already guest conducting orchestras across Europe and receiving offers for major positions, but he chose to accept the principal conductor role with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in his home country in 1980.

3.1. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO)

Rattle's tenure with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) from 1980 to 1998 was a pivotal period that brought him to international prominence. He initially joined as the orchestra's principal conductor and artistic adviser in 1980, and by 1990, he was appointed music director. During his leadership, Rattle significantly raised both his own profile and that of the orchestra, transforming the CBSO from a nationally recognized ensemble into a world-renowned orchestra.

A notable long-term project during his time was the "Towards the Millennium" concert series, which focused on 20th-century music. Another major achievement was the orchestra's move from its previous venue, Birmingham Town Hall, to the newly constructed Symphony Hall in 1991, a move that further enhanced the orchestra's capabilities and public presence. The BBC commissioned film director Jaine Green to document Rattle's final year with the CBSO in the film Simon Rattle-Moving On.

Rattle was a strong advocate for youth music during his time in Birmingham. He initiated and led two attempts to set the record for the World's Largest Orchestra, both aimed at raising awareness for youth music in schools. The first attempt in 1996 was unsuccessful, but the second in 1998 succeeded, setting a record with nearly 4,000 musicians. This record stood until it was surpassed by a group in Vancouver in 2000. Rattle also became the patron of the Birmingham Schools' Symphony Orchestra, an arrangement made in the mid-1990s during his CBSO tenure. This youth orchestra is now supported by the charitable organization Services for Education.

3.2. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO)

Rattle's tenure as Chief Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic (BPO) from 2002 to 2018 marked a significant chapter in his career, characterized by artistic innovation, institutional reforms, and a strong commitment to cultural outreach. He first conducted the BPO in 1987, leading a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 6. In 1999, the orchestra's members voted to appoint Rattle as the successor to Claudio Abbado as their principal conductor. This decision, made through a vote on June 23, was somewhat controversial at the time, as some orchestra members were reported to have preferred Daniel Barenboim for the position.

Despite initial reservations, Rattle secured the appointment and quickly won over his detractors by demonstrating a strong commitment to the orchestra's welfare. He notably refused to sign his contract until he had ensured that every member of the orchestra would be paid fairly and that the orchestra would gain greater artistic independence from the Berlin Senate. This move reflected his dedication to improving the working conditions and creative autonomy of musicians.

Before and immediately after his move to Germany, Rattle openly criticized the British attitude towards culture, including the Britart movement and the state funding of arts in the UK. Upon assuming his role, Rattle reorganized the Berlin Philharmonic into a foundation, shifting control of its activities more directly to its members rather than politicians. He also successfully advocated for a significant increase in orchestra members' wages, which had declined in previous years.

Rattle's inaugural concert as principal conductor of the BPO took place on September 7, 2002, featuring performances of Thomas Adès' Asyla and Mahler's Symphony No. 5. These performances garnered widespread critical acclaim globally and were subsequently released on CD and DVD by EMI. Early collaborative projects in Berlin under Rattle's leadership included a choreographed performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring danced by schoolchildren, which was documented in the film Rhythm Is It!, and a film project based on Mark-Anthony Turnage's Blood on the Floor. Rattle consistently championed contemporary music in Berlin, and during his tenure, the orchestra established its first dedicated education department, further solidifying its commitment to community engagement and musical accessibility. In November 2007, UNICEF appointed Rattle and the BPO as Goodwill Ambassadors, recognizing their contributions to cultural education and social welfare. He is also a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Despite his successes, Rattle's tenure with the Berlin Philharmonic was not without its critics. Criticism regarding the quality of his concerts with the BPO began to emerge after their first season together and continued into their second. In 2005, Rattle himself acknowledged that his relationship with the BPO musicians could sometimes be "turbulent," though he added it was "never destructively so." In 2006, a new controversy arose in the German press, with critic Manuel Brug of Die Welt questioning the quality of Rattle's performances. However, pianist Alfred Brendel publicly defended Rattle in the press.

Rattle's initial contract with the BPO was set to expire in 2012. However, in April 2008, the orchestra musicians voted to extend his contract as chief conductor for an additional ten years, until 2018. In January 2013, Rattle announced his decision to step down from the Berlin Philharmonic at the close of the 2017-2018 season. His final concert as chief conductor of the BPO took place at the Waldbühne on June 24, 2018, where he conducted Mahler's Symphony No. 6.

3.3. London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)

In March 2015, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) announced Simon Rattle's appointment as its next music director, with his tenure commencing in the 2017-2018 season under an initial five-season contract. Rattle has made commercial recordings for the LSO Live label. In January 2021, the LSO announced an extension of his contract until 2023.

Rattle concluded his role as music director of the LSO at the end of the 2022-2023 season. He now holds the lifetime title of Conductor Emeritus with the LSO. His final performance with the LSO was on August 27 at the BBC Proms, where he conducted Mahler's Symphony No. 9.

3.4. Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO)

Simon Rattle first guest-conducted the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) in 2010. In January 2021, the BRSO announced Rattle's appointment as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2023-2024 season, under an initial five-year contract. His inaugural concert as the orchestra's chief conductor took place on September 21, 2023, featuring a performance of Haydn's The Creation at the Herkulessaal in Munich.

3.5. Other Conducting Engagements

Beyond his primary orchestral tenures, Simon Rattle has maintained an active presence as a guest conductor and in other significant roles. He made his North American debut in 1976, leading the London Schools Symphony Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. He first conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1979 during the music directorship of Carlo Maria Giulini and served as their principal guest conductor from 1981 to 1994.

Rattle has also guest-conducted numerous other prominent North American orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. His New York City debut was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1985. In 2000, Rattle served as the music director of the Ojai Music Festival.

In 1993, Rattle made his conducting debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra, returning for guest engagements in 1999 and 2000. The musical relationship between Rattle and the Philadelphia Orchestra was so strong that the orchestra reportedly sought to hire him as its next music director after Wolfgang Sawallisch, though Rattle ultimately declined. He has continued to guest-conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra, including appearances in 2006 and the orchestra's first performances of Robert Schumann's cantata Das Paradies und die Peri in November 2007.

In 1992, Rattle was named a principal guest conductor of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE), sharing the role with Frans Brüggen. He now holds the title of Principal Artist with the OAE, reflecting his ongoing commitment to period-instrument performance. In 2001, he conducted the OAE at Glyndebourne in their first production of Fidelio with a period-instrument orchestra.

In 2019, Rattle first guest-conducted the Czech Philharmonic. In February 2024, the Czech Philharmonic announced his appointment as its next principal guest conductor, effective with the 2024-2025 season, for a period of five years, with the title of 'Rafael Kubelík Conducting Chair'.

4.1. Repertoire and Performance Approach

Rattle is known for his wide-ranging musical interpretations, which include performances with period instruments (either original historical instruments or modern replicas based on historical designs and materials). He has been praised for his authentic approach to early music. However, he is most recognized for his interpretations of late 19th- and early 20th-century composers, particularly Gustav Mahler. His unique and profound understanding of Mahler's symphonies has garnered significant acclaim.

Rattle is also a strong advocate for contemporary music. An example of this commitment is the 1996 TV series Leaving Home, where he presented a seven-part survey of musical styles and conductors, featuring excerpts recorded by the CBSO. This series, which won a BAFTA award for best arts program, showcased his dedication to making complex musical concepts accessible to a broader audience.

4.2. Recording Career

Simon Rattle has an extensive and highly regarded recording career, with many of his albums receiving critical praise and awards. His recording of Mahler's Second Symphony, for instance, won several awards upon its release. Other notable recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic include Dvořák's tone poems, Mahler's Symphony No. 9, and Claude Debussy's La Mer. The latter was hailed by Gramophone Magazine as a "magnificent disc," drawing favorable comparisons to interpretations by Rattle's predecessors, Claudio Abbado and Herbert von Karajan.

Rattle and the BPO also recorded Gustav Holst's The Planets (EMI), which was recognized as the BBC Music Magazine Orchestra Choice. His acclaimed 1989 complete recording of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess served as the soundtrack for the equally praised 1993 television production of the work, which was the first made-for-television production of the opera. Rattle's 2007 recording of Johannes Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem with the BPO was lauded by BBC Music Magazine as "Disc of the Month" for April 2007, described as "probably the best new version of the Requiem I've heard in quite some years." Further recordings with the BPO include Anton Bruckner's Fourth Symphony (Romantic), and Joseph Haydn's Symphonies Nos. 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and Sinfonia Concertante.

Rattle has received multiple Grammy Awards for his recordings. He won a Choral Performance Grammy in 2008 for Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem with the BPO. He also received a Choral Performance Award in 2007 for a recording of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and a Best Orchestral Performance award in 2000 for a recording of Mahler's unfinished Symphony No. 10. In 2012, Rattle was inducted into the inaugural Gramophone Hall of Fame.