Cruises


English Chamber Orchestra
Paul Watkins appointed Music Director of the English Chamber Orchestra

The English Chamber Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Watkins as Music Director from the 2009/10 season, for an initial period of three years.

This appointment is the culmination of a long and fruitful relationship between the ECO and Watkins, who has conducted and performed with the orchestra for over a decade. Watkins, who first came to public attention as a cellist, has held the position of Associate Conductor with the ECO since the 07/08 season. Quintin Ballardie, Founder and Director of the ECO, says "Paul is a very unusual musician. It is rare that an international cellist of his repute is also a fine conductor. He has a deep understanding of the ECO's core baroque and classical repertoire - some of which he has already directed from the harpsichord - as well as a great affinity for contemporary music."

“This is an exciting time for the ECO,” Paul Watkins says with enthusiasm when asked what lies ahead for him and the orchestra. “We are approaching our 50th anniversary in 2010/11, and I am looking forward to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of this illustrious ensemble. The ECO has a history of working with the world’s greatest artists; it is an enormous honour for me to follow in their footsteps and a privilege to be collaborating with such a superb orchestra of true chamber musicians.” Watkins’ first performance with the orchestra as Music Director will take place at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 18th October, with a programme of Handel, Britten Nocturne, CPE Bach Cello Concerto (performed by Watkins) and Mozart Symphony No 41.

Paul Watkins has acquired a reputation as an insightful and communicative conductor in the years since winning the Leeds Conductors’ Competition in 2002. He has conducted all of Britain’s leading orchestras including the London Symphony, London Philharmonic and Philharmonia orchestras, and is increasingly in demand abroad working regularly with orchestras including the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Queensland Orchestra and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.

Eddie Waters - a tribute

In memory of Eddie Waters (1942-2009) - ECO Circle member and benefactor

We are very sad to report the recent death of Eddie Waters, a long-time friend of the ECO.

Eddie, a former picture editor who worked on News International titles for 40 years, was a dedicated supporter of classical music in London. He attended almost all of the ECO's and LSO's London concerts - usually wearing his trademark green jacket.

ECO Concerts Manager and Librarian, Ben Gould, first got to know Eddie whilst working for the LSO and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him during concert intervals. Ben last saw Eddie at the ECO's March performance of Faure's Requiem, and describes him as "a very kind, generous man and a true gentleman."

Eddie also supported the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was nephew of Jack Warner, the actor most famously known as "Dixon of Dock Green".

He has generously remembered several of his favourite arts organisations in his will, and his bequest to the ECO Charitable Trust will enable us to get through what is one of the most difficult financial periods in our entire history.