CONTEMPORARY

Nicholas Cleobury brings a number of special gifts to contemporary music, both as conductor and communicator. He has worked with composers around the world and given countless premieres. They include Michael Tippett, for whom he rehearsed and shared concerts, as well as Richard Rodney Bennett, George Benjamin, Harrison Birtwistle, Jonathan Dove, Jonathan Harvey, Hans Werner Henze, Robin Holloway, Georgy Ligeti, James Macmillan, Colin Matthews, David Matthews, Peter Maxwell Davies, Thea Musgrave, Paul Patterson, Poul Ruders, Giles Swayne, John Tavener, Mark Antony Turnage, John Woolrich and numerous young composers.

He has conducted many leading contemporary music ensembles including: Aquarius (Founder Conductor); all the BBC Orchestras; Birmingham Contemporary Music Group; Britten Sinfonia; Die Reihe/Vienna; Guildhall School of Music; London Sinfonietta; Manson Ensemble – Royal Academy of Music; Opera Nova/Zurich. In 1997 he founded Sounds New and over his 10 years as Artistic Director it developed into a major force in contemporary music. He is now its Founder Laureate.

He has also conducted many contemporary Australian works, including composers Brenton Broadstock, Nigel Butterley, Barry Connyngham, Paul Dean, Richard Meale, Peter Sculthorpe, Carl Vine and Julian Yu.

With the Southbank Sinfonia:
“…Nicholas Cleobury was an informative and passionate compere and exceptional conductor.” 
KENTISH GAZETTE

Birtwistle’s PUNCH AND JUDY:
“The authoritative playing of the Aquarius Ensemble under Nicholas Cleobury…surely the discovery of Wien Modern."
SALZBURGER NACHRICHTEN