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Stephen Layton: 10 facts about the great conductor
Stephen Layton is celebrated for his exceptional musicianship and for the vitality of his performances with such groups as Polyphony and the Holst Singers. Here are more facts about this master of choral conducting.
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1. A musical background
Born in 1966, Stephen Layton was raised in Derby where his father was a church organist. Picture: Keith Saunders
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2. The young scholar
Learning the piano as a teenager, Layton also became a chorister at Winchester Cathedral. He won scholarships to Eton and then King's College, Cambridge as an organ scholar under Stephen Cleobury.
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3. Forming Polyphony
Whilst studying at Cambridge, Layton founded the mixed-voice choir Polyphony in 1986. Since then they have performed and recorded regularly to great critical acclaim around the world. Recent reviews declare Polyphony ‘one of the best small choirs now before the public’ and ‘possibly the best small professional chorus in the world’.
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4. One of the world's leading choirs
For more than a decade Polyphony has given annual sell-out performances of Bach’s St John Passion and Handel’s Messiah at St John’s Smith Square. In a Gramophone Magazine poll they were named as one of the world’s leading choirs.
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5. Director of Music at Trinity
In 2006, Stephen Layton became Director of Music at Trinity College, Cambridge.
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6. Another prestigious post
In November 2009, the City of London Sinfonia announced the appointment of Layton as its second Artistic Director, effective with the 2010-2011 season, for an initial contract of three years. Layton is also the Sinfonia's Principal Conductor.
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7. Champion of contemporary classics
An energetic and enthusiastic champion of new music, Stephen Layton has premiered works by such composers as Arvo Pärt, Thomas Ades and James MacMillan.
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8. A varied discography
Stephen Layton’s extensive discography, particularly on the Hyperion label - ranges from Handel with original instruments to Bruckner, Poulenc and Eric Whitacre.
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9. A marathon performance
Layton's bold realisation of Tavener’s epic seven-hour vigil The Veil of the Temple was premiered in The Temple Church in London and later performed at the Proms and in New York at the Lincoln Center Festival.
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10. A busy schedule
Stephen Layton guest conducts orchestras all over the world, including the Philadelphia, LPO, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Academy of Ancient Music.
