Voting Station

Adrian Boult

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Conductor

The Resume

    (April 8, 1889-February 22, 1983)
    Born in Chester, England, United Kingdom
    Conductor of the City of Birmingham Orchestra (1924-30), BBC Symphony Orchestra (1930-50) and London Philharmonic Orchestra (1950-57)
    Known for championing British music
    Introducted new works by Gustav Holst, Frederick Delius, Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams and William Walton
    Knighted (1937)

Why he might be annoying:

    His family had to help subsidize the City of Birmingham Orchestra after his departures from the standard repetoire reduced the box office.
    A biographer said he was 'capable of frightening outbursts of temper at rehearsals.'
    He hated touring overseas because flying hurt his ears and long land trips hurt his back.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He conducted the orchestra at the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
    He donated his fees from recordings to the London Philharmonic's general fund.
    He continued conducting and recording until shortly before his 90th birthday.
    He said a conductor should be 'invisible' so the audience could 'enjoy the music without seeing any of the antics that go on.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying