Bramwell Tovey is acknowledged around the world for his artistic depth, and warm, charismatic personality on the podium. He has been the popular host and conductor of the New York Philharmonic’s Summertime Classics series at Avery Fisher Hall since its founding in 2004. Mr. Tovey’s tenures as music director of the Vancouver Symphony, Luxembourg Philharmonic, and Winnipeg Symphony orchestras have been characterized by his work in the opera, choral, and British repertoire. He is also a composer and pianist, and has received three Juno Awards — two for Classical Album of the Year, and one for Classical Composition of the Year (Requiem for a Charred Skull) — in addition to a 2007 Grammy Award. He is the first artist to win a Juno in both conducting and composing.

Last year Bramwell Tovey was named principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. He also works frequently with the Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras, among many others. A champion of contemporary music, Mr. Tovey developed the highly regarded New Music Festival in Winnipeg during his tenure as music director. In the summer of 2008 he conducted the world premiere of his latest piece, Urban Runway, a co-commission of the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics. He is currently writing a full-length opera, The Inventor, for the Calgary Opera, to be premiered in January 2011.

Bramwell Tovey has been awarded numerous honorary degrees, including a fellowship from the Royal Academy of Music in London; honorary doctorates of law from the universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba, and Kwantlen University College; and a music fellowship from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In 1999 he received the M. Joan Chalmers National Award for Artistic Direction, a Canadian prize awarded to artists for outstanding contributions in the performing arts. Mr. Tovey last conducted the New York Philharmonic in July 2008 at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, following his conducting/hosting duties at the Orchestra’s Summertime Classics series.