In a career spanning 40 years, Owain Arwel Hughes has conducted and recorded with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He has held the titles of associate conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra and of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, principal conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Acclaimed for his direction of large scale choral works, Owain Arwel Hughes had a highly successful six-year period as conductor of the world-famous Huddersfield Choral Society. As founder and artistic director, he is the driving force behind the success of the Cardiff Welsh Proms, one of Britain’s major music festivals.
Owain Arwel Hughes’s long-standing relationship with BIS has resulted in a large number of highly acclaimed recordings, notably the complete symphonies and other works by both Vagn Holmboe and Rachmaninov. In his current position as principal guest conductor of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra he has recorded Schnittke’s Symphony No.9 [BIS-CD-1727] and the world premières of Schnittke’s oratorio Nagasaki and Symphony No.0 [BIS-CD-1647].
Owain Arwel Hughes’s contribution to music has been marked with honorary doctorates and fellowships at nine universities and conservatoires. In 2004, in recognition of his services to music and charity, he was awarded an OBE and in January 2009 he was the recipient of a CBE.
For further information please visit
Owain Arwel Hughes's website.
