Who is Simon Rattle?
Sir Simon Denis Rattle, CBE OL (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. Rattle has conducted a wide variety of music, including some with period instruments (musical instruments contemporary with the music being played), but he is best known for his interpretations of early 20th century composers such as Mahler, with a recording of Mahler’s Second Symphony winning several awards on its release and being regarded by some as Rattle’s finest recording to date. He has also championed much contemporary music. His meticulous realization of some of the great Romantic works has forged a somewhat intense style. This is exemplified in his new cycle of the Beethoven Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic – although the orchestral playing is recognisably Viennese, there is a noticeable ‘period-instrument’ quality to the sound. His newe
