Ramhorns, the Royal Academy of Music British horn chamber ensemble

MICHAEL THOMPSON

"Thompson is not only technically brilliant, but plays with delectable lightness and point, bringing out wit in finales, as well as the tenderness in slow movements. As conductor and director he draws sparkling and refined playing..." The Gramophone

Already internationally acknowledged as one of the worlds leading horn players, Michael Thompson is increasingly gaining recognition as a conductor. After studies at the Royal Academy of Music, he was appointed principal horn with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the age of eighteen. Within three years he was offered the principal horn positions of both the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. He joined the Philharmonia and remained in that post for ten years before leaving to concentrate on his solo and chamber music career. His work as director/soloist or conductor has already seen him perform in Japan, Australia, the U.S.A. Europe and Scandinavia, including his debut with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta in Copenhagen and with Ostgota Winds Symphony in Sweden. In the UK he has directed the London Sinfonietta, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Britten Pears Orchestra, Ulster Youth Orchestra and the Royal Academy's Sinfonia and Concert orchestras. He has conducted a number of community orchestras and in 2003 he was appointed Principal Conductor of the City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra.

His concert schedule takes him worldwide and his discography includes the major solo horn repertoire, period instrument recordings and a number of critically acclaimed CDs with his wind quintet and horn quartet. As a member of the London Sinfonietta he is at the forefront of new music and has given many first performances, including, most recently the UK premiere of Ligeti's "Hamburg Concerto". In addition to his classical work, he is very active as a studio musician, playing on movie soundtracks too numerous to list but including The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. His work for Sir Paul McCartney resulted in the composition of "Stately Horn" which the Michael Thompson horn quartet premiered in the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall.

Michael Thompson is a Fellow and Aubrey Brain professor of horn at the Royal Academy of Music and gives regular master-classes and lectures throughout the world. He plays on an instrument made by Paxman of London.