Martin Owen Biography May 2016

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Martin Owenis widely regarded as one of Europe's leading horn players, appearing as soloist and chamber musician at some of the leading music festivals around the world. Martin currently holds the position of Principal Horn at theBBCSymphony Orchestra, having served as Principal Horn of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for ten years, and during the 2012/13 season, Martin wasPrincipal Horn of the Berliner Philharmoniker on a temporary contract. Martin also currently holds the position of Principal Horn of the California-based ensemble, Camerata Pacifica, and in 2016, Martin was appointed Principal Horn of the Cambridge-based ensemble, Britten Sinfonia.

This year’s highlights include Strauss: 1st Horn Concerto with the Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg Orchestra / Sir Roger Norrington in January and with the Liceu Symphony Orchestra / Josep Pons in Barcelona in October; Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner / Mark Padmore; and with Britten Sinfonia at Shanghai Concert Hall, China, in May and also with Britten Sinfonia / Ian Bostridge (tenor/director) in June 2016.

Other recent highlights include performances of concertos by Mozart, Richard Strauss, Schumann, Messiaen, Britten, Elliott Carter and Oliver Knussen, with orchestras including the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Orquesta Nacional de España, The Hallé, New World Symphony andAalborg Symfoniorkester.

In 2006, Martin Owen also gave the world premiere of Malcolm Arnold's recently discoveredBurlesquewith the Royal Philharmonic in the composer’s home town of Northampton, and, in 2007, made his solo debut at the BBC Proms performing Schumann'sKonzertstückwith the BBC Philharmonic. Martin returned to the Proms as soloist in 2009 in a highly acclaimed performance of Oliver Knussen's Horn Concerto with the BBC Symphony conducted by the composer, broadcast live on BBC television and radio.In 2008, he made his Barbican debut in the London premiere of Elliott Carter's Horn Concerto with the BBC Symphony/Knussen as part of Carter's 100th birthday celebrations (the performance was released by Bridge Records in March 2010). In May 2011, Martin performed both the Knussen and Elliott Carter horn concertos with the Orquesta Nacional de España in Madrid, broadcast live on Spanish national radio; and in 2013, Martin performed Benjamin Britten'sSerenadewith Ben Johnson at Aldeburgh, the Centenary of Britten's birth.

Other recordings include Mozart’s horn concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (for RPO classics), Britten'sSerenadewith Toby Spence and the Scottish Ensemble directed by Clio Gould (for Linn), Britten'sCanticleswith tenor Ben Johnson (for Signum Classics), Schubert's Octet with Michael Collins (which was recorded for Wigmore Hall’s Live label), Schumann'sKonzertstuckwith the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Mackerras (on the BBC’s label), Danzi'sSinfonia Concertantewith the Orquestra de Cadaques/Marriner (on the Trito label) and Roderick Elms'Four Seasonal Nocturneswith the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Cleobury (for Dutton). Martin Owen has performed on over 300 movie soundtracks to date includingJames Bond,Star Wars,Harry Potter,Gladiatorandthe Pirates of the Caribbeanfilms.

Martin Owen is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, where he is Professor of Horn.

January 2018. Use of any previously dated biographies is not authorised. Please contact Worldwide Artists if you wish to edit this biography in any way.