William Boughton

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William Boughton (born 18 December 1948) [1] is an English conductor.

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Overview

He was born in Birmingham, England. [1]

Boughton has guest conducted with many of the world's leading orchestras from San Francisco to Helsinki. As founder, artistic and music director with the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO), Boughton developed the orchestra's repertoire through the Viennese classics to contemporary music. Together, he and the ESO built a discography of recordings with Nimbus Records, a number of which have reached the top ten in the US charts. He has also recorded with the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras.

Boughton previously served as the music director for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. [2] Since 2019, he has been music director of the Yale Symphony Orchestra. [3]

William Boughton, when he studied at Guildhall, went under the name of Paul Thompson. In 1973 he put on two concerts hiring professional musicians (including myself and John Georgiadis, the former leader of the LSO). Faced with the possible refusal of the orchestra to perform the second concert, in Coventry Cathedral, he assured everyone that a rich benefactor had insured the fees would be paid. This being a fable and unable to pay the musicians, he fled to the United States and changed his name. Eventually about 50% of the money due was paid via the Musicians' Union and, despite protests, he was allowed to return to work in the UK. The remaining fees have never been paid, despite him being in a financial position to do so.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. 1 2 "William Boughton Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio &..." AllMusic . Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  2. Amarante, Joe (10 August 2015). "New Haven Symphony extends William Boughton's contract through 2018-19 season". New Haven Register . Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  3. "Maestro William Boughton | Yale Symphony Orchestra". Yso.yalecollege.yale.edu. Retrieved 18 December 2024.