Martyn Brabbins
Martyn Charles Brabbins (born 13 August 1959) is a British conductor. He was the music director of the English National Opera from 2016 until his resignation in 2023.
Early life and education
The fourth of five children in his family, he learned to play the
Career
Brabbins first came to international attention when he was awarded first prize at the
Outside of the UK, Brabbins became principal guest conductor of
Brabbins first guest-conducted at English National Opera (ENO) in 2012, in a production of Vaughan Williams' The Pilgrim's Progress.[8] On 21 October 2016, ENO named Brabbins its next music director, with immediate effect.[9] On 15 October 2023, Brabbins resigned from ENO, with immediate effect, in protest at proposed music personnel reductions to the company's music staff.[10][11]
Recordings
Brabbins has conducted commercial recordings of music for such labels as Warner,[12] Chandos,[13][14][15][16] Hyperion,[17][18] NMC,[19] Nimbus,[20] and Deutsche Grammophon.[21]
Recordings include: Saint-Saëns: piano concertos n°2 & n°5, Louis Schwizgebel-Wang, piano, BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond. Martyn Brabbins & Fabien Gabel; label Aparté 2015
Personal life and recognition
Brabbins and his wife Karen (née Evans) met at Goldsmiths. The couple married in 1985, and have three children. In January 2013, the University of Bristol awarded Brabbins an honorary degree, of Doctor of Music honoris causa.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Honorary degrees 2013 - Martyn Brabbins" (Press release). University of Bristol. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ Rian Evans (22 July 2008). "Festival Academy/Brabbins (Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham)". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ Andrew Clements (23 June 2006). "The Scottish are coming". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ Alfred Hickling (14 October 2005). "Opera North Ensemble/ Brabbins (The Venue, Leeds)". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ Andrew Clements (18 July 2011). "Prom 4: Gothic Symphony – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Fiona Maddocks (27 November 2011). "Havergal Brian: Symphony No 1 ('The Gothic') – review". The Observer. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Tom Service (14 July 2006). "The maestro in me". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ Fiona Maddocks (11 November 2012). "The Pilgrim's Progress; Total Immersion: Knussen at 60 – review". The Observer. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "Martyn Brabbins announced as new Music Director of ENO" (Press release). English National Opera. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ^ "A statement from the ENO regarding Martyn Brabbins' resignation" (Press release). English National Opera. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Tilden, Imogen. "ENO's music director resigns over proposed cuts to musical staff positions". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Edward Greenfield (11 October 2002). "Bruch: Violin Concertos nos 1 and 3 Hanslip/ LSO/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ Edward Greenfield (10 October 2003). "Gregson: Clarinet Concerto; Violin Concerto; Blazon; Stepping Out, Collins/ Charlier/ BBCPO/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (6 May 2004). "Scott: Symphony No 3, The Muses; Piano Concerto No 2; Neptune: Shelley/ Huddersfield Choral Society/ BBC Philharmonic/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (6 February 2004). "Bax: St Patrick's Breastplate etc, Bunning/ Huddersfield Choral Society/ BBC Philharmonic/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (14 February 2008). "Scott: Symphony No 1; Cello Concerto, Watkins/ BBCPO/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (23 June 2011). "Walton: Symphonies Nos 1 and 2 etc – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (2 November 2007). "Tippett: Piano Concerto; Handel Fantasia; Piano Sonatas Nos 1-4, Osborne/ BBCSSO/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Andrew Clements (8 March 2007). "Britten on Film, Russell Beale/ Carewe/ BCMG/ Brabbins". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ^ Michael McManus (22 July 2014). "Introducing the Great Animal Orchestra Symphony". Gramophone. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Anthony Holden (31 July 2004). "Birtwistle, Theseus Game, Earth Dances". The Observer. Retrieved 14 March 2012.