Simon Rattle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE
Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006
Born	Simon Denis Rattle (1955-01-19) 19 January 1955 (age 70) Liverpool, England
Citizenship	United Kingdom Germany
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Music, London
Occupation	Conductor
Organization	BPO LSO CBSO BRSO
Spouse(s)	Elise Ross (1980–1995) Candace Allen (1996–2004) Magdalena Kožená (2008–present)
Children	5

Sir Simon Denis Rattle was born on January 19, 1955. He is a famous British conductor who also has German citizenship. He became very well known around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. This was when he was the music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) from 1980 to 1998.

Later, Rattle was the main conductor for the Berlin Philharmonic from 2002 to 2018. He also led the London Symphony Orchestra as its music director 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. He also supports the Birmingham Schools' Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he won a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Simon Rattle's Early Life and Training

Growing Up in Liverpool

Simon Rattle was born in Liverpool, England. His mother was Pauline Lila Violet Greening, and his father was Denis Guttridge Rattle. His father was a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II. Simon went to school at Liverpool College.

Musical Beginnings

Even though he learned to play the piano and violin, Simon first worked with orchestras as a percussionist. He played for the Merseyside Youth Orchestra. This group is now called the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

In 1971, he started studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London. One of his teachers there was John Carewe. In 1974, the same year he graduated, Rattle won the John Player International Conducting Competition.

Starting His Career

While still at the academy, Simon organized and conducted a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony. This performance caught the attention of music agent Martin Campbell-White. He has managed Rattle's career ever since. Rattle also spent a year studying English at St Anne's College, Oxford. He became an Honorary Fellow of the college in 1991. In 1999, he received an honorary degree from the University of Oxford.

Rattle's First Conducting Jobs

Assistant Conductor Roles

In 1974, Simon Rattle became an assistant conductor for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The next year, in 1975, he joined the music staff at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. He conducted over 200 opera performances there over 28 years.

First Proms Performance

His first performance at The Proms was on August 9, 1976. He conducted the London Sinfonietta at the Royal Albert Hall. In 1977, he became an assistant conductor for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Leading the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Building a Reputation

Simon Rattle's time with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) made him very famous. He was with them from 1980 to 1998. In 1980, he became the CBSO's main conductor. In 1990, he became their music director. Rattle helped the orchestra become much more well-known during his time there.

One big project was a series of concerts called "Towards the Millennium." These concerts featured music from the 20th century. Another major achievement was moving the CBSO to a new concert hall. They moved from Birmingham Town Hall to Symphony Hall in 1991.

Honors and Other Work

Rattle was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987. He was knighted in 1994, becoming Sir Simon Rattle. In 1992, he also became a main guest conductor for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE). He now holds the title of Principal Artist with the OAE.

Supporting Young Musicians

Rattle strongly believes in supporting music for young people. He led two attempts to set a record for the World's Largest Orchestra. These events aimed to raise awareness for youth music in schools. The second attempt in 1998 was successful. Nearly 4,000 musicians played together!

In 2000, Rattle received the Gold Medal from the Royal Philharmonic Society. In 2014, he was appointed a member of the Order of Merit. Rattle also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics 2012. He performed "Chariots of Fire" with Rowan Atkinson, who played his famous Mr. Bean character.

Leading the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Joining the Berlin Philharmonic

Rattle first conducted the Berlin Philharmonic (BPO) in 1987. In 1999, the orchestra members chose him to be their new main conductor. He took over from Claudio Abbado. Rattle made sure that every orchestra member was paid fairly. He also made sure the orchestra could make its own artistic choices.

New Projects and Challenges

Rattle gave his first concert as the BPO's main conductor on September 7, 2002. He conducted music by Thomas Adès and Gustav Mahler. These performances received great reviews. Rattle and the BPO also worked on projects with the community. One project involved school children dancing to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. This was shown in the film Rhythm Is It!. The orchestra also started its first education department during Rattle's time.

Some critics started to question Rattle's work with the Berlin Philharmonic after a few years. However, many musicians and critics, like pianist Alfred Brendel, defended him. In 2007, a recording by the BPO and Rattle won an award for best choral disc.

Leaving Berlin

Rattle's contract with the BPO was extended until 2018. In January 2013, he announced he would leave the Berlin Philharmonic at the end of the 2017–2018 season. His last concert as chief conductor was on June 24, 2018.

Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006

In November 2007, UNICEF named Rattle and the BPO as Goodwill Ambassadors. He also supports the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Conducting in North America

Early Appearances

Simon Rattle first conducted in North America in 1976. He led the London Schools Symphony Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. He first conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1979. He was their main guest conductor from 1981 to 1994. He has also conducted other famous orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His first performance in New York City was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1985.

Working with the Philadelphia Orchestra

In 1993, Rattle conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra for the first time. He returned to guest-conduct them in 1999 and 2000. The Philadelphia Orchestra even wanted him to be their next music director, but Rattle decided not to take the job. He has continued to guest-conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra over the years.

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. He has also made recordings for the LSO Live label. 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 has the title of Conductor Emeritus with the LSO for life. His last LSO performance was at the BBC Proms on August 27, conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 9.

Current Role and Future Plans

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

In 2010, Rattle first guest-conducted the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO). In January 2021, the BRSO announced that Rattle would be their next chief conductor. He started this role in the 2023–2024 season with a five-year contract. His first concert as their chief conductor was on September 21, 2023. He performed Haydn's The Creation in Munich.

Czech Philharmonic

In 2019, Rattle first guest-conducted the Czech Philharmonic. In February 2024, the Czech Philharmonic announced that Rattle would be their next principal guest conductor. He will start this five-year role in the 2024-2025 season. He will also hold the title of 'Rafael Kubelík Conducting Chair'.

Awards and Honors

Simon Rattle has received many awards and honors throughout his career:

• 1987: Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
• 1994: Knight Bachelor (Sir)
• 1996: Shakespeare Prize
• 2000: Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medallist
• 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, Best Orchestral Concert of the Year
• 2022: Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2025: Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
• He has also won three Grammy Awards for his recordings.
• In 2010, the French Government gave him the honor of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.
• In 2012, he was chosen for the first Gramophone Hall of Fame.

Simon Rattle's Musical Style and Recordings

Simon Rattle has conducted many different types of music. He is especially known for his interpretations of 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 a lot of contemporary music. For example, in 1996, he hosted a TV series called Leaving Home. In this series, he explored different musical styles.

Some of his recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic include music by Antonín Dvořák, Mahler's Symphony No. 9, and Claude Debussy's La Mer. Gramophone Magazine called La Mer a "magnificent disc." He also recorded Gustav Holst's The Planets, which was a top choice for BBC Music Magazine.

In 1989, Rattle made an acclaimed recording of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. This recording was used as the soundtrack for a TV production of the work in 1993. His 2007 recording of Johannes Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem was praised as "Disc of the Month" by BBC Music Magazine.

Simon Rattle's Personal Life

Simon Rattle has been married three times. His first marriage was to Elise Ross, a soprano. 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 mezzo-soprano from the Czech Republic. They live in Berlin and have two sons and a daughter.

Rattle is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. He is also a big fan of Liverpool Football Club. In January 2021, Rattle announced that he had applied for German citizenship. He said it was important for him to continue working freely in the EU after Brexit.

Images for kids

• 

  Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006

• 

  Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006