Bryden Thomson
Encyclopedia
Bryden Thomson was a Scottish
conductor
.
Bryden ("Jack") Thomson was born in Ayr
. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra
, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra
and the Ulster Orchestra
from 1977 to 1985. He was also briefly chief conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
, being only the second Scotsman to hold that post. Between 1984 and 1987 he was principal conductor of the Irish RTÉ Symphony Orchestra (now the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
).
Thomson was a committed interpreter of British music: his complete cycle of the symphonies of Arnold Bax
for Chandos Records
is highly regarded, and he also recorded Vaughan Williams' orchestral music. His last recordings, of the Symphony No. 4
and Symphony No. 6
of Carl Nielsen
are widely considered by critics to be amongst the very best interpretations of those works. Thomson's recordings of Arnold Bax's tone poems and other orchestral works have recently been re-issued on remastered CDs.
Thomson died in Dublin. He bequeathed his collection of scores to the Bryden Thomson Trust which supports young conductors.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
.
Bryden ("Jack") Thomson was born in Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra
BBC Philharmonic
The BBC Philharmonic is a British broadcasting symphony orchestra based at Media City UK, Salford, England. It is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The orchestra's primary concert venue is the Bridgewater Hall....
, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a broadcasting orchestra and national orchestra.The BBC NOW has its...
and the Ulster Orchestra
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Belfast, the only full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. The orchestra plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall...
from 1977 to 1985. He was also briefly chief conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,...
, being only the second Scotsman to hold that post. Between 1984 and 1987 he was principal conductor of the Irish RTÉ Symphony Orchestra (now the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra is the concert music orchestra of Raidió Teilifís Éireann...
).
Thomson was a committed interpreter of British music: his complete cycle of the symphonies of Arnold Bax
Arnold Bax
Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
for Chandos Records
Chandos Records
Chandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, Essex, in the United Kingdom, founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.- Background :...
is highly regarded, and he also recorded Vaughan Williams' orchestral music. His last recordings, of the Symphony No. 4
Symphony No. 4 (Nielsen)
Symphony No. 4 "The Inextinguishable", Op. 29, FS 76, by Danish composer Carl Nielsen, was completed in 1916. Composed against the backdrop of the First World War, this symphony is among the most dramatic that Nielsen wrote, featuring a "battle" between two sets of timpani.-Origin:Danish Composer...
and Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 6 (Nielsen)
Symphony No. 6 "Sinfonia semplice", , FS 116. In August 1924 Danish composer Carl Nielsen began working on a Sixth Symphony, which turned out to be his last. By the end of October he wrote to Carl Johan Michaelsen:...
of Carl Nielsen
Carl Nielsen
Carl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
are widely considered by critics to be amongst the very best interpretations of those works. Thomson's recordings of Arnold Bax's tone poems and other orchestral works have recently been re-issued on remastered CDs.
Thomson died in Dublin. He bequeathed his collection of scores to the Bryden Thomson Trust which supports young conductors.