Ben Gernon Named Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic, Fall 2017

Ben Gernon will take up the position of Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic in autumn 2017, one of the youngest conductors to have held a titled position with a BBC orchestra.

Since working with the BBC Philharmonic for the first time in 2014, Ben has built a strong and vibrant relationship with the orchestra in a wide range of projects and programmes across the North of England. As Principal Guest Conductor, Ben will conduct the orchestra in a number of concerts each year, at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall and elsewhere, in both core and contemporary repertoire. Ben will also be an integral part of exciting new developments in the digital and educational fields, areas to which he is deeply committed.

Reactions from Alan Davey, Simon Webb and Ben Gernon:

Alan Davey, Controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras & Choirs, says: "Ben Gernon is an exciting conductor who has been making waves both in the UK and internationally and his musical connection with the BBC Philharmonic has been clear to see through their concerts together. I'm looking forward to watching their relationship continue to grow as Ben takes up this important new role and hope that audiences enjoy this first run of concerts together, whether in person in Manchester or Nottingham or through our live Radio 3 broadcasts."

Simon Webb, General Manager, BBC Philharmonic: "The decision to appoint Ben Gernon is based on the unanimously positive reaction of the orchestra to his style of conducting, his spontaneity, and his natural communication with both the orchestra and our audiences. Ben has already performed a wide range of repertoire with the BBC Philharmonic, ranging from core classical works to the UK premiere of Thomas Larcher's Ouroboros, and has delighted audiences in many of our regular venues across the North of England over the last two years. His passion for new music, for reaching new audiences, and for exploring the new technologies being developed by the BBC, coupled with his brilliance as a conductor, make him the perfect match for the BBC Philharmonic's bold and adventurous music-making."

Ben Gernon: "Over the last two years of working with this extraordinary orchestra, we have built an exhilarating and rewarding artistic partnership. A combination of the orchestra's world-class musicians and their contagious passion and love of music, makes for an electrifying live experience of the BBC Philharmonic. It is a real privilege for me to take up my first titled position as the BBC Philharmonic's Principal Guest Conductor, and it is with admiration that I look forward to our future seasons together."

Ben is conducting the BBC Philharmonic this week in concerts at MediaCityUK, Salford, in Nottingham and at The Bridgewater Hall, with live BBC Radio 3 broadcasts on Tuesday 31 January, at 14.00, and Friday 3 February at 19.30. See the complete details below:

Monday 30 Jan, 16:20: Beethoven: Symphony No 6 in F major 'Pastoral'

Tuesday 31 Jan, 14:00: Live concert at MediaCityUK

Friday 3 Feb, 15:40: Mendelssohn Overture: Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage

Friday 3 Feb, 19:30: live broadcast of concert with Ben Grosvenor in Nottingham