Simon Rattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Simon Rattle
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Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006
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Simon Denis Rattle
19 January 1955 Liverpool, England
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| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Music, London |
| Occupation | Conductor |
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| Children | 5 |
Sir Simon Denis Rattle (born 19 January 1955) is a famous British conductor. He also has German citizenship. He became well-known in the 1980s and 1990s. This was when he was the music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (from 1980 to 1998).
Rattle was the main conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2002 to 2018. He also led the London Symphony Orchestra from 2017 to 2023. Since September 2023, he has been the chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Many music critics consider him one of the best living conductors in the world.
Simon Rattle also supports young musicians. He is a patron of the Birmingham Schools' Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
Contents
About Simon Rattle
His Early Life
Simon Rattle was born in Liverpool, England. His father was Denis Guttridge Rattle. Simon went to Liverpool College for his education.
He learned to play the piano and violin. But he first worked with orchestras as a percussionist. This was for the Merseyside Youth Orchestra. Later, it became the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
In 1971, he joined the Royal Academy of Music in London. He won a conducting competition in 1974. While still at the academy, he conducted Mahler's Second Symphony. A music agent noticed his talent then.
Leading the Birmingham Orchestra
Simon Rattle became very famous during his time with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). He was with them from 1980 to 1998. In 1980, he became their main conductor. By 1990, he was their music director.
He helped the orchestra become much more well-known. One big change was moving the CBSO to a new concert hall. This was Symphony Hall, built in 1991.
Rattle was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987. He was knighted in 1994, becoming "Sir Simon Rattle". He also strongly supported music for young people. He even tried to set a world record for the largest orchestra. This was to help youth music in schools.
Leading the Berlin Philharmonic
Simon Rattle first conducted the Berlin Philharmonic (BPO) in 1987. In 1999, the orchestra members chose him as their new main conductor. He took over from Claudio Abbado.
Rattle made sure the orchestra members were paid fairly. He also helped the orchestra gain artistic freedom. He gave his first concert as their main conductor on 7 September 2002. He conducted pieces by Thomas Adès and Gustav Mahler. These performances received great reviews.
Rattle and the BPO started educational projects. One project involved school children dancing to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. This was shown in the film Rhythm Is It!. He also continued to support new music in Berlin. The orchestra even started its first education department during his time.
In 2007, a recording of Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem by Rattle and the BPO won an award. Rattle's contract with the BPO was extended until 2018. He announced in 2013 that he would leave the Berlin Philharmonic in 2018. His last concert with them was on 24 June 2018.
In November 2007, UNICEF named Rattle and the BPO as Goodwill Ambassadors.
Conducting in North America
Rattle first conducted in North America in 1976. He led the London Schools Symphony Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. He was also the main guest conductor for the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1981 to 1994. He has also conducted other major orchestras in the US and Canada.
Leading the London Symphony Orchestra
In March 2015, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) announced that Rattle would be their next music director. He started this role in the 2017–2018 season. His first contract was for five seasons.
In January 2021, his contract was extended until 2023. Rattle stepped down as music director of the LSO at the end of the 2022–2023 season. He now holds the title of Conductor Emeritus for life with the LSO. His final LSO performance was on 27 August, conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 9.
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Beyond
Simon Rattle first conducted the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) in 2010. In January 2021, the BRSO announced him as their next chief conductor. He started this role in the 2023–2024 season. His first concert with them was on 21 September 2023. He conducted Haydn's The Creation.
In February 2024, the Czech Philharmonic announced Rattle as their next principal guest conductor. This role began in the 2024-2025 season.
Awards and Honors
Simon Rattle has received many awards for his musical work:
- 1987: Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
- 1994: Knight Bachelor (he became "Sir Simon Rattle")
- 2000: Gold Medal from the Royal Philharmonic Society
- 2009: Gold Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture
- 2012: Wolf Prize in Arts in Music
- 2013: Léonie Sonning Music Prize
- 2014: Member of the Order of Merit (OM)
- 2016: Helpmann Award for Best Orchestral Concert
- 2022: Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 2025: Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
Musical Style and Recordings
Rattle has conducted many different types of music. He is especially known for music from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Composers like Gustav Mahler are among his favorites. His recording of Mahler's Second Symphony won several awards.
He also supports modern classical music. For example, in 1996, he presented a TV series called Leaving Home. In this series, he explored different musical styles.
His recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic include Dvořák's tone poems and Mahler's Symphony No. 9. He also recorded Claude Debussy's La Mer. Critics praised these recordings. Rattle and the BPO also recorded Gustav Holst's The Planets.
In 1989, Rattle made an acclaimed recording of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. This recording was used for a TV production of the opera in 1993. His 2007 recording of Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem was also highly praised.
Rattle has won three Grammy Awards:
- 2000: Best Orchestral Performance for Mahler's unfinished Symphony No. 10.
- 2007: Choral Performance Award for Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.
- 2008: Choral Performance Award for Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem.
In 2010, the French Government gave him the honour of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. In 2012, he was added to the Gramophone Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Simon Rattle has been married three times. His first marriage was to Elise Ross, a singer. They had two sons, Sacha and Eliot. They divorced in 1995. In 1996, he married Candace Allen, a writer. They divorced in 2004.
In 2008, Rattle married Magdalena Kožená, a Czech singer. They live in Berlin and have two sons and a daughter.
Rattle is a fan of Liverpool Football Club. In January 2021, he applied for German citizenship. He said it was important for him to keep working freely in the EU after Brexit.
See also
In Spanish: Simon Rattle para niños
