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Alexander Shelley

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Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
Background information
Birth nameAlexander Gordon Shelley
Born (1979-10-08) 8 October 1979 (age 45)
London, England
GenresClassical
OccupationConductor
Instrument(s)Cello, piano
Years active2005–present
Websitealexandershelley.com

Alexander Gordon Shelley (born 8 October 1979) is an Echo Music Prize-winning English conductor. He is the current music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, as well as principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic and Music Director Designate of Artis—Naples and the Naples Philharmonic. Shelley will join the Pacific Symphony Orchestra as music director designate for the 2025-2026 season, after which he is expected to serve as music director for a five year term.[1]

Background

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The son of the pianists Howard Shelley OBE and Hilary Macnamara, Shelley learned piano from his mother and cello from his grandmother.[2] In 1992, he won a music scholarship to Westminster School from The Hall School Hampstead. He studied cello with Timothy Hugh, Steven Doane and Johannes Goritzki at the Royal College of Music and at the Robert Schumann Hochschule, Düsseldorf respectively.[3] Master-classes with Mstislav Rostropovich, Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot led him to France, Italy and North America. He was a member of the World Orchestra for Peace during the 2003 tour with Valery Gergiev. He studied conducting with Professor Thomas Gabrisch[3] in Düsseldorf and worked closely with Yan Pascal Tortelier as his assistant conductor, among others with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Early career

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In 2001,[3] while still studying in Düsseldorf, he founded the Schumann Camerata, a chamber orchestra with whom he subsequently performed over 80 concerts, including a substantial tour of Russia, with performances in Moscow, Kazan, Simbirsk, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd and Astrachan.[4] In 2005, he won first prize in the 2005 Leeds Conductors Competition, with the press describing him as "the most exciting and gifted young conductor to have taken this highly prestigious award. His conducting technique is immaculate, everything crystal clear and a tool to his inborn musicality."[5] In the same year, Shelley conceived the "440Hz" project, a series of concerts involving prominent German television and stage personalities, to attract young adults to the concert hall.[3] Guest artists have included Konrad Beikircher, Götz Alsmann Band, Wise Guys (band), Blank & Jones, BASTA, Ensemble Six, Miki, Curse, Reen, Mellow Mark, Ono, Chima, Marlies Petersen and Ralf Bauer.[6]

In 2009, Shelley became Artistic Director of the Zukunftslabor project of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen[7] with whom he went on to win the 2012 Echo Klassik award in the category of Youth Engagement.[8]

Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra

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In September 2009, Shelley was named the youngest ever Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, with an initial contract of four years. In 2011, his contract was extended to 2017.[9]

During his tenure the orchestra dramatically increased their international touring, travelling to China, Italy, the Czech Republic and Austria.[10] Live recordings of their performances in Vienna's Musikverein and Prague's Smetana Hall were released on Colosseum Records.

For nine consecutive years Shelley conducted and presented Nuremberg's ‘Klassik Open Air’ concerts - Europe's largest annual classical concerts - performing to a combined audience of over 500,000. His final concert was attended by over 80,000 people.[11]

He concluded his Nuremberg tenure at the close of the 2016–2017 season.[12]

Shelley's first album for Deutsche Grammophon, with Daniel Hope and the Stockholm Philharmonic, was released in September 2014. Shelley's second album for Deutsche Grammophon, a recording of an expanded version of Peter and the Wolf with Germany's National Youth Orchestra featuring Die Toten Hosen singer Campino (in the German version) and rock singer Alice Cooper (in the English version), was awarded the Echo Klassik prize in 2016.[13]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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In January 2015, after several years of collaborations as a guest conductor, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra named Shelley its principal associate conductor, curating an annual series in London's Cadogan Hall, as well as touring nationally and internationally with the orchestra.[14]

Shelley has focused on a variety of themes in his Cadogan Hall programming, including:

2015/ 2016 season: ‘Paris to New York’, celebrating the wide variety of styles and influences on the transatlantic musical output of the 1920s and 1930s.[15] 2016/ 2017 season: ‘Symphonic Soundscapes’, exploring the music of Sibelius and Prokofiev on the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution.[16] 2017/ 2018 season: ‘Myths and Fairytales’, which featured the many scores that have taken inspiration from the literature of myths and fairytales.[17] 2018/2019 season: ‘Seeking New Horizons’, a series of concerts that looks at the influence of immigration on the music of the last 150 years.[18] 2019/2020 season: 'Composer 360', exploring musical influences and relationships that inspired great composers.[19]

National Arts Centre Orchestra

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In October 2013, the NACO announced the appointment of Shelley as its youngest ever Music Director, succeeding Pinchas Zukerman as of the 2015–2016 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.[20][3][21] In 2018 it was announced that Alexander Shelley had renewed his contract as Music Director of the NAC Orchestra through to 2023 and in 2022 a further extension through 2026 was announced. [22]

Major creative projects since the beginning of his tenure have included the commissioning of "Life Reflected", a multi-media exploration of the lives of four Canadian women (Rita Joe, Roberta Bondar, Alice Munro and Amanda Todd)[23] and ENCOUNT3RS, a set of three new ballets in collaboration with the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet BC and Alberta Ballet Company.[24] The seven new scores that Shelley and the NAC Orchestra commissioned for these projects were recorded on the Analekta label in 2016 and 2017 respectively.[25]

For two years running, works commissioned and recorded by Shelley and the NAC Orchestra won the Juno Award in the Classical Composition of the Year category, with Jocelyn Morlock winning in 2018 for her work 'My Name is Amanda Todd' from NAC Orchestra's Life reflected album, and Ana Sokolovic winning in 2019 for 'Golden Slumbers Kiss Your Eyes' from the NAC Orchestra's album Bounds of our Dreams.[26]

Shelley has led two major tours with the NAC Orchestra. In 2017, Shelley and the NAC Orchestra undertook a cross-country tour of Canada in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary.[27] In the spring of 2019, Shelley led the NAC Orchestra on a landmark European tour in celebration of the National Arts Centre's 50th Anniversary. Over 17 days, they travelled to Saffron-Walden, London, Paris, Utrecht, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg.[28] The tour marked the first international performances of the NAC Orchestra's flagship Life Reflected project. Entitled CROSSINGS, the tour included eight concerts featuring four internationally renowned Canadian soloists: Jan Lisiecki, James Ehnes, Erin Wall and David D Q Lee. Each and every concert included at least one major work by a Canadian composer. The tour also included 60 learning activities and community events. Wherever they went, Shelley and NAC Orchestra musicians worked with community partners and young musicians to share their passion, make some music, and offer workshops and master classes.

In April 2022 Shelley led the orchestra on tour to New York's Carnegie Hall with a flagship programme entitled 'Truth in our Time'. The tour concerts, which probed important cultural questions through their choice of music, included the world premiere of Philip Glass's 13th Symphony, commissioned by Shelley and the NAC in memory of the life of ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.

Artis—Naples and the Naples Philharmonic

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In April 2023 Shelley was announced as Artistic Director and Music Director of Artis-Naples, home of The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic. In a role which expands on his predecessor Andrey Boreyko, whose tenure concluded in 2022, Shelley will provide artistic leadership for the Naples Philharmonic, as well as the entire multidisciplinary organization, which includes visual Arts, Naples International Film Festival, jazz, pops, dance and broadway.[29]

Guest conducting

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Shelley appears as a guest conductor on 6 continents. Alongside his positions in Ottawa and London, regular collaborators include Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra,[30] Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar and Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo.

Shelley has a close relationship with Germany's National Youth Orchestra (Bundesjugendorchester), having led them on three separate tours of Germany and several international tours to France, Canada and Africa. In November 2018 the orchestra sat side by side with the National Arts Centre Orchestra for a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1.[31] In the summer of 2019 Shelley led the Bundesjugendorchester on a tour of Germany and Africa.

To date, Shelley has conducted over 40 world premiere performances.

Opera

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Shelley's professional opera conducting debut was for Royal Danish Opera in 2008, conducting a production of The Merry Widow. He has since led productions of Gounod's Romeo et Juliette (Royal Danish Opera), Mozart's Cosi fan tutte (Opéra national de Montpellier),[32] two separate productions of Marriage of Figaro (Opera North and National Arts Centre),[33] La Bohème (Opera Lyra),[34] Louis Riel (Canadian Opera Company/ National Arts Centre)[35] Don Giovanni (National Arts Centre) and Tosca (Tyrolean State Theatre)

Personal life, awards, and philanthropy

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Alexander Shelley and Zoe Shelley at the NAC Gala

Shelley and his wife Zoe, a personal trainer and fitness model,[2] were married in July 2011 at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. They have two sons, Sasha Felix Shelley, born in Ottawa on August 25, 2018, and Leo Arlen Shelley, born in Ottawa on June 6, 2021.[36]

The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded Alexander Shelley the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 'in recognition of his exceptional achievements and profound impact on the international classical music community as well as his dedicated efforts to engage and inspire younger audiences.' The award was presented to Shelley during an official ceremony by the German Ambassador in Ottawa, Canada, on July 12, 2023.[37]

Along with Angela Hewitt and Kellylee Evans, he is one of the current OrKidstra Ambassadors.[38]

Discography

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2010 Nürnberger Symphoniker Live in Prag (Nürnberger Symphoniker and Oliver Triendl on Colosseum Records)

2011 Nürnberger Symphoniker Live in Wien (Nürnberger Symphoniker on Colosseum Records)

2014 Escape to Paradise (Stockholm Philharmonic and Daniel Hope on Deutsche Grammophon)

2015 Brahms Violin Concerto/ Double Concerto (Nürnberger Symphoniker, Eric Schumann, Mark Schumann on Berlin Classics)

2015 Peter and the Wolf in Hollywood (Bundesjugendorchester, Alice Cooper on Deutsche Grammophon) (ECHO Klassik 2016)

2017 Life Reflected (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

2017 Encount3rs (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

2018 New Worlds (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

2018 Bounds of our Dreams (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

2019 American Recorder Concertos (Copenhagen Philharmonic, Michala Petri)

2020 Clara, Robert, Johannes: Darlings of the Muses (National Arts Centre Orchestra, Gabriela Montero on Analekta)

2021 Clara, Robert, Johannes: Lyrical Echoes (National Arts Centre Orchestra)

2023 Clara, Robert, Johannes: Atmosphere and Mastery (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

2023 Clara, Robert, Johannes: Romance and Counterpoint (National Arts Centre Orchestra on Analekta)

References

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  1. ^ "Alexander Shelley to become Pacific Symphony Orchestra music director for 2026-27 season". The Associated Press. 13 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b Andrew Duffy (14 September 2015). "Alexander Shelley: The measure of the modern maestro". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Alexander Shelley to replace NACO's Pinchas Zukerman in 2015". CBC News. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Mit dem Kulturschiff auf Kurs zu russischen Partnern". 1 July 2004. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Exciting new talent rises to challenge of demanding score". The Yorkshire Post. 11 July 2005. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Veranstaltungsreihen". SMKP. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  7. ^ "Shelley Kuenstlerische Leiter des Zukunftslabor" (Press release). Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Echo Klassik-Preisträger in der Kategorie "Nachwuchsförderung" und Sonderpreise Stehen Fest". ECHO. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Vertragsverlaengerung Shelley" (PDF) (Press release). Nuernberger Symphoniker. 24 September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  10. ^ "CHINA-TOURNEE, 11. SEPTEMBER 2012" (PDF) (Press release). Nuernberger Symphoniker. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2018.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Klassik Open Air 2017: So verabschiedet sich Nürnberg von Dirigent Alexander Shelley". infranken.de. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Kahchun Wong wird neuer Chefdirigent" (PDF) (Press release). Nuernberger Symphoniker. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  13. ^ ""Klassik Für Kinder": Campino Erhält Echo Klassik 2016 Gemeinsam Mit Dem Bundesjugendorchester und Dirigent Alexander Shelley". klassik. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  14. ^ "Alexander Shelley Appointed Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra". Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  15. ^ "From Paris to New York Review". express. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Symphonic Soundscapes". Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Myths and Fairytales". Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Myths and Fairytales". Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Composer 360". Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Canada's National Arts Centre announces Alexander Shelley as its Music Director-designate Renowned conductor to lead NAC Orchestra in 2015–2016". NAC. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  21. ^ Martin Knelman (16 September 2015). "Meet Alexander Shelley, Ottawa's charismatic new conductor". Toronto Star. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Alexander Shelley extends contract".
  23. ^ "NAC Orchestra's Life Reflected fetes four uniquely different Canadian women". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  24. ^ "ENCOUNT3RS a Legacy Project in Canadian Contemporary Dance". Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  25. ^ "National Arts Centre Orchestra's New Life Reflected CD Reviewed". Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Classical Composition of the Year". Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  27. ^ "National Arts Centre Orchestra's Canada Tour Arrives in Saskatoon October 22". Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  28. ^ "New season of NAC Orchestra features past favourites and spectacular new shows". Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  29. ^ "Alexander Shelley Appointed Artistic and Music Director of Artis Naples". Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  30. ^ "Gewandhaus-Dirigent gibt Ausblick auf Klassik Airleben im Leipziger Rosental". Lvz.de. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Britten War Requiem | Fri, Nov 9, 2018, 7:00 pm @ Southam Hall (1 Elgin Street, Ottawa)". Nac-cna.ca. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  32. ^ "Cosi fan Tutte in Montpellier". Operatoday.com. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  33. ^ "Opera North's gleeful Marriage of Figaro is not to be missed". Bachtrack.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  34. ^ "Latest Opera Lyra La Boheme is Musically Exquisite and Theatrically Exciting". Capitalcriticscircle.com. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  35. ^ "Russell Braun Outstanding in Louis Riel". Ottawacitizen.com. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  36. ^ "NAC conductor Alexander Shelley announces son's birth". Ottawacitixen.com. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  37. ^ "Congratulations to Maestro Alexander Shelley on receiving the prestigious Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany!". sogerman. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  38. ^ "alexander shelley appointed orkidstra ambassador". orkidtra. 13 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
[edit]
Cultural offices
Preceded by
Bernhard Gueller
 Chief Conductor, Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra
2009–2017 		Succeeded by
Kachun Wong
Preceded by Music Director, National Arts Centre Orchestra
2015–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Grzegorz Nowak
 Principal Associate Conductor, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2015–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Andrey Boreyko (Music Director)
 Artistic and Music Director, Artis-Naples and Naples Philharmonic
2023–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
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