Shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Conductor’s Award, John Wilson has established an enviable reputation as a conductor, arranger and scholar, recognised internationally as an expert in light music and music for screen, and as a passionate advocate for British music.
In 2009 he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Northern Sinfonia, while also working regularly with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the BBC orchestras.
In 2007 he made his televised BBC Proms début, returning with the John Wilson Orchestra in 2009, 2010 and 2011 to celebrate Hollywood’s film musicals, all televised live on BBC2.
He has made numerous recordings and has recently signed a contract for his orchestra with EMI. A lifelong interest in film music led him to reconstruct the lost orchestrations of all the major MGM musicals.
His parallel passion for British music has led to many outstanding recordings, including works by John Ireland with the Hallé, music by Eric Coates with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the RLPO and recordings of Vaughan Williams, Bax and Edward German. John Ireland’s Piano Concerto [Naxos 8.572598] marks his début for Naxos.