English National Ballet Philharmonic & Gavin Sutherland
Biography English National Ballet Philharmonic & Gavin Sutherland
Gavin Sutherland
s Principal Guest Conductor of English National Ballet, having been Music Director from 2008 to 2022. Born in Durham, UK, he graduated from the University of Huddersfield, winning the Kruczynski Prize for Piano and the Davidson Prize for Distinction Brought to the Institution. He began his career as staff conductor and pianist at Northern Ballet, and over the last 30 years he has collaborated with many nationally and internationally acclaimed dance companies and orchestras.
He has made over a hundred recordings, mainly of British music and including several world premiere performances. This strand of his career has led to a fruitful collaboration with the BBC, most notably with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Besides his prolific ballet work, Sutherland regularly arranges for leading international orchestras, often involving the reconstruction of important lost scores. He also broadcasts regularly as a performer and interviewee. In 2019 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Huddersfield, and in 2020 won the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution.
English National Ballet Philharmonic
is made up of many of the country’s top musicians, and boasts considerable experience in all forms of music-making.
Since Dame Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin founded what is now English National Ballet in 1950, the Company has always been committed to achieving the highest musical as well as dancing standards.
From the very beginning, English National Ballet Philharmonic has played an important part in creating the magic which is a vital part of every live performance.
Notable events have included galas at both the London Coliseum and Royal Opera House, accompanying visiting ballet companies, appearances in concert (including the Bath and City of London Festivals) and, most recently, providing the music for the Royal Academy of Dance’s children’s ballet syllabus grades.
English National Ballet Philharmonic also play a significant part in the Engagement Department’s school visits and workshops, taking a taste of the music of ballet to tomorrow’s audience.
