Rising Stars
Three to look out for…
Richard Gowers organist
Born: Cambridge, UK Career highlight: Playing the huge Royal Albert Hall organ at the 2016 BBC Proms with King’s College and the OAE was exciting. I always listen from the arena, so it was special to be onstage in that distinctive atmosphere. Musical hero: Soprano Barbara Hannigan’s voice is mesmerising, but what I find most admirable is how she has promoted so much work by living composers. I don’t think enough prominent musicians do that.
Dream concert: I once conducted the second suite from Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé , so I would love to go back and perform the whole thing and achieve my best interpretation of its staggering craftsmanship.
Matilda Lloyd trumpeter
Born: Guildford, UK Career highlight: Winning the Eric Aubier International Trumpet Competition in Rouen, France, in October 2017. It was an intense week with four different rounds. Musical hero: Trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger, for his flawless technical virtuosity and attention to detail. Other musical heroes include some of the amazing conductors that I’ve worked with, including Bernard Haitink and Gianandrea Noseda. Dream concert: I’d love to return to the BBC Proms and play the premiere of a concerto at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s important to continue expanding the trumpet repertoire.
James Henshaw conductor
Born: London, UK
Career highlight: Conducting my orchestra, the Outcry Ensemble, in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare’s play in London.
Musical hero: Conductor Claudio Abbado’s range and his attitude to music were so inspiring. My favourite performances of his are the Berlin Philharmonic’s Beethoven cycle and his appearances with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra playing Mahler.
Dream concert: To combine the choruses of the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera and Opera North in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in the Royal Albert Hall. I love the sound of opera choruses singing works usually reserved for large symphony choruses.