Roger Norrington
British conductor Roger Norrington was born on 16 March 1934. He studied at Clare College Cambridge and with Adrian Boult at the Royal College of Music. He founded the Schütz Choir in 1962, whilst working as a tenor, and was music director of Kent Opera. He founded and conducted the London Classical Players from 1978 until 1997, worked as principal conductor of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, and was music director of the Orchestra of St Luke's.
His penchant for limiting the use of string vibrato in orchestral performances has been controversial. He is known for his performances using period instruments, and for following Ludwig van Beethoven's metronome markings (thought by many to be too fast).
A selection of articles about Roger Norrington
CD Spotlight. Exceptional Performances - Gerald Fenech listens to Mozart from Francesca Dego, Roger Norrington and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 'Francesca Dego is an impassioned virtuoso, and her renditions are not only emotionally alive but also full of beguiling warmth and charm ...'
CD Spotlight. An Epic Undertaking - Hänssler Classic's C P E Bach edition, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... an exhilarating collection of C P E Bach's works ...'
CD Spotlight. Fresh Appraisals - Roger Norrington's interpretations of Bruckner symphonies, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Commendable, if somewhat unorthodox.'
CD Spotlight. Why Mahler? - Roger Norrington's interpretation of Mahler's Fourth Symphony, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Roger Norrington presents the music very much as Mahler would have approved, and dynamics are never exaggerated. The orchestra is never allowed to be short on emotion and overall this performance is deeply moving. Anu Komsi is also perfectly cast as the child-like soprano in the last movement.'
CD Spotlight. Triumphant Splendour - Gerald Fenech commends the reissue of Roger Norrington's recording of Elgar's Symphony No 1 with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. '... Norrington conveys the sweep of the score spontaneously in one breath and takes his players on a headlong ride to the finish which is simply spinetingling.'
Ask Alice - In search of Beethoven and stress-free jobs, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Top Class Musicianship - Roderic Dunnett visits Gloucester for the 2010 Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. A Bright Future - Malcolm Miller was at the final night of the 2008 BBC Proms in London
Ensemble. Sandals and Yoghurt? - Bach at the Berlin Philharmonie, reviewed by Ciarán McAuley
What makes a conductor? - 'Conductors in Conversation' by Jeannine Wagar, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
Record box. Wilby's reconstruction - Daniel Hope plays Mozart, reviewed by Howard Smith