Stephen David LaytonMBE (born 23 December 1966) is an English conductor.
He was raised inDerby, where his father was a church organist. He was a chorister atWinchester Cathedral, and subsequently won scholarships toEton College and thenKing's College, Cambridge as anorgan scholar underStephen Cleobury.[1]
While studying at Cambridge, Layton founded the mixed-voice choir Polyphony in 1986.[2] He was appointed the musical director of theHolst Singers in 1993, replacingHilary Davan Wetton, who had founded the group in 1978. Layton has been assistant organist atSouthwark Cathedral, and musical director of Wokingham Choral Society. From 1997, he was organist and subsequently director of music at theTemple Church. From 1999 to 2004, he was chief conductor of theNetherlands Chamber Choir. From 2000 to 2012 he was chief guest conductor of the Danish National Vocal Ensemble. From 2006 to 2023, he was director of music atTrinity College, Cambridge.[1][3] In November 2009, theCity of London Sinfonia announced the appointment of Layton as its second artistic director, effective with the 2010–2011 season, with the title of principal conductor.[4]
Layton has premiered new works and recordings by a number of composers, includingArvo Pärt,Thomas Adès,Jaakko Mäntyjärvi andJames MacMillan. His realisation ofJohn Tavener'sThe Veil of the Temple was premiered in 2003 at the Temple Church London. It was subsequently performed in 2004 at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms, and in the Avery Fisher Hall, New York, as part of the Lincoln Center Festival.[3]
Stephen Layton's discography on Hyperion[5] ranges from Handel and Bach with original instruments to Arvo Pärt,Paweł Łukaszewski, Lauridsen, Whitacre andĒriks Ešenvalds. Recordings with Polyphony includeGabriel Jackson,[6] Paweł Łukaszewski,[7]Francis Poulenc,[8] John Tavener,[9] and Ẽriks Ešenvalds.[10] With the Trinity College Choir, a notable recording is of work by the Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, including the specially written Trinity Service (2019).[11]
He has received two Gramophone Awards in the UK and theDiapason d'Or in France, theEcho Deutscher Musikpreis in Germany, the Compact Award in Spain, and four Grammy nominations in the USA.[12][13]
Layton was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the2020 Birthday Honours for services to classical music.[14]
| Cultural offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Musical Director, Holst Singers 1993–present | Succeeded by incumbent |
| Preceded by | Director of Music, Temple Church 1997–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Director of Music, Trinity College, Cambridge 2006–present | Succeeded by incumbent |
| Preceded by | Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, City of London Sinfonia 2010–2016 | Succeeded by (post vacant) |
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