Hurst, George

views updated

Hurst, George

Hurst, George, English conductor; b. Edinburgh, May 20, 1926. He first studied piano with Isserlis, then took courses in conducting and composition at the Royal Cons, of Music of Toronto; also studied conducting with Monteux. He was a teacher and conductor at the Peabody Cons, of Music in Baltimore (1947–55), and also was conductor of the York (Pa.) Sym. Orch. (1950–55). He then was asst. conductor of the London Phil. (1955–57) and of the BBC Northern Sym. Orch. at Manchester (1958–68). Subsequently he conducted the Bournemouth Sym. Orch. (1969–71), and also was artistic advisor of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta until 1978. From 1986 to 1989 he was principal guest conductor of the BBC Scottish Sym. Orch. in Glasgow. In 1990-91 he was principal conductor of the National Sym. Orch. of Ireland in Dublin.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire