Christopher George - Conductor
“A first class musician of wide experience who is helping orchestras to play wonderfully well.”
Christopher George’s broad and varied conducting experience includes programmes of Lutoslawski (Rambert Dance Company), John Grant and Maximo Park (Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra), James Seymour Brett recordings (English Session Orchestra), Prokofiev (Royal Scottish National Orchestra), Mozart Galas (Jonathan Lemalu, Camilla Roberts, Miriam Ryen), and Bach Passions (Matthew Brook, Nicolas Mulroy, Elin Manahan-Thomas).
He also very much enjoys working with wonderful amateur orchestras such as London City Orchestra, Amicus, and Academy of St Thomas, and student groups at the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh. He has a close relationship with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland where he used to sit on the board.
As a violinist Chris has performed extensively throughout the world with conductors and directors such as Bernard Haitink, Claudio Abbado, Nicolas Harnoncourt, Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Neville Mariner, Murray Perahia, Andras Schiff and Joshua Bell. He was Leader and often Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and led and sat in principal positions with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Opera House Orchestra and many others. A passionate chamber musician, Chris spent many happy hours touring internationally with groups Quince Quartet, Oxalys and Trio Ligeti and collaborating with wonderful artists such as Christian Zacharius, Artur Pizzaro, Laurence Power, Simon Crawford-Phillips and Richard Egarr.
“Really very good indeed”
“Chris, you are a hero”
“Chris you are a true, honest and wonderful musician. You’re like my musical brother!”
“It was a genuine pleasure to sing with conductor Christopher George. There is great musical knowledge and, best of all, real flair!”
“The St John with Chris George at the helm was one of the highlights of my Passion season. He has the rare gift of showing authority whilst allowing the performer the space and artistic freedom to express their ideas. Impressive”
“Chris is one of the most compelling and irresistible musicians I have ever met. His conducting has urgency and beauty … a real pleasure to play for”