Oliver Knussen is one of the most respected figures in British contemporary music and has probably contributed more to the vitality of the British contemporary music scene (as composer, conductor and eminence grise) than any other figure. He has a wide and varied output, from chamber music works, to three symphonies and two operas, Where the Wild Things Are and Higglety Pigglety Pop! - the result of a collaboration with the children’s author Maurice Sendak. In addition there are two recent concertos (for horn and violin) which have been taken up by soloists and orchestras worldwide.
His conducting career began at the age of 16 with the LSO when he conducted his First Symphony. He is now in international demand as an illuminating interpretation of twentieth century music, and he appears regularly with the major orchestras of the world. He was made a CBE in 1994 and is Conductor Laureate of the London Sinfonietta.