John Georgiadis started playing the violin at the age of six, which led to a career as a professional violinist culminating in his appointment as concertmaster, first with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, then with the London Symphony Orchestra at the age of 26, a position he held for 14 years. He was a founder member of the London Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble and Orchestra, and also played as first violin in the celebrated Gabrieli String Quartet. His interest in conducting began during the mid-1970s and he studied orchestration for eight years under the legendary conductor and teacher Sergiu Celibidache.

Georgiadis has conducted concerts with many British orchestras and he established the Viennese-style New Year’s concert in London which he conducted for 40 consecutive years until 2015. His performances both here and with the Oxford Philharmonic were well known for their varied repertoire. He has made Viennese repertoire his speciality, recording Strauss family music in particular with top British orchestras, and also worldwide for labels including Naxos. He is a longstanding honorary member of The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain.