Sir John Eliot Gardiner (born 20 April 1943)[1] is an English conductor, particularly known for his performances of the works ofJohann Sebastian Bach, especially theBach Cantata Pilgrimage of 2000, performingBach's church cantatas in liturgical order in churches all over Europe, and New York City, with theMonteverdi Choir, and recording them at the locations.
Born inFontmell Magna, Dorset, son ofRolf Gardiner and Marabel Hodgkin, Gardiner's early musical experience came largely through singing with his family and in a local church choir. As a child he grew up with the celebratedHaussmann portrait ofJ. S. Bach, which had been lent to his parents for safe keeping during the Second World War.[2] A self-taught musician who also played the violin, he began to study conducting at the age of 15. He was educated atBryanston School, then studied History atKing's College, Cambridge, where his tutor was the social anthropologistEdmund Leach.[3][4]
While an undergraduate at Cambridge he launched his conducting career with a performance ofMonteverdi'sVespro della Beata Vergine inKing's College Chapel on 5 March 1964.[5] This either featured or led to the foundation of theMonteverdi Choir, with which he made his London conducting debut at theWigmore Hall in 1966.[3] Whilst at Cambridge, he conducted the Oxford and Cambridge Singers on a concert tour of the Middle East.[3] After graduating, Gardiner continued his musical studies atKing's College London underThurston Dart and in Paris withNadia Boulanger, whose music had been a very early influence.[6]
After his period with the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Gardiner went to France. From 1983 to 1988 he was Music Director of theOpéra National de Lyon. During his period with the Opéra he founded an entirely new orchestra.[10] During his time with the Opéra National de Lyon Gardiner was also Artistic Director of theGöttingen Handel Festival (1981 until 1990).[11] In 1989 the Monteverdi Choir had its 25th anniversary, touring the world giving performances of Handel's oratorioIsrael in Egypt and Bach'sMagnificat among other works. In 1990, Gardiner formed a new period-instrument orchestra, theOrchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, to perform music of the 19th century. From 1991 until 1995 he was principal conductor of theNorth German Radio Symphony Orchestra.
A European tour in 1993 with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique featuredBerlioz's rediscoveredMesse solennelle. Beginning inBremen, Germany the tour ended with a recorded performance inWestminster Cathedral, London 1993.
In 2000, Gardiner set out on his Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, performing, over a 52-week period, all ofBach's sacred cantatas in churches around Europe and the United States.[12]
In late 2004, Gardiner toured France and Spain with the Monteverdi Choir performing pieces from theCodex Calixtinus in cathedrals and churches along theCamino de Santiago.[13]
In rehearsal, 2007
Gardiner has recorded over 250 albums, most of which have been published byDeutsche Grammophon andPhilips Classics,[14] and by theSoli Deo Gloria label, which specialises in recordings by Gardiner and by his ensembles.
In late 2012, citing health concerns, he cancelled his planned December 2013 tour of Australia with the Monteverdi Choir and theAustralian Chamber Orchestra.[20] In 2013, Gardiner published the bookBach: Music in the Castle of Heaven.[21] In 2014 he started a five-year term as President of the LeipzigBach Archive, being succeeded byTon Koopman in that position in 2019.[22][23] One of the realisations during Gardiner's presidency was the Archive's collaboration to theBach 333 box set with the complete recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's works, released in 2018.[24]
Gardiner conducted his Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists in a pre-service concert at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of King Charles III.
In 2013, he narrated theBBC Two documentaryBach: A Passionate Life.[25]
In August 2023, Gardiner was reported to have angrily slapped and punched English bass singer William Thomas in the face in front of cast members after Thomas exited the wrong side of the podium after a performance ofLes Troyens at the Berlioz Festival inLa Côte Saint André. The incident resulted in a public backlash against the conductor.[26][27] On 24 August 2023, Gardiner withdrew from all further engagements[28][29][30][31] for 'a period of reflection and, in consultation with his medical advisors ... focusing on his mental health while engaging in a course of counselling'.[32] In July 2024 it was announced that he would be stepping down as leader and artistic director of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras, focusing instead on 'other activities including guest conducting, recording, writing, creative and education projects.'[33]
In September 2024, Gardiner founded theConstellation Choir and Orchestra, following his departure from the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras earlier that year. The new ensemble attracted several former members of the Monteverdi ensembles, leading to a competitive dynamic between the groups. Some concert venues replaced scheduled Monteverdi performances with those of Gardiner's new ensemble, further intensifying the rivalry.[34]
Bach,Motets, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists (DG Archiv)
Bach, Complete SacredCantatas, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists, (DG Archiv), winnerGramophone’s 2005 Record of the Year and Special Achievement Award (2011), nominated two Grammy Awards Best Choral Performance[50]
Bach,Mass in B minor recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists (DG Archiv), nominated Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance[51]
Bach,St John Passion, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists, 1986 (DG Archiv), nominated Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance
Bach,St Matthew Passion, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists andAnne Sofie von Otter, 1985 (DG Archiv), nominated Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance[52]
Berlioz,Messe solennelle, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, 1994 (Philips), winner of Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance
Berlioz,Les Troyens, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, 2004 (DVD, BBC Opus Arte), winner of Gramophone DVD of the Year
Handel,Jephtha, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists,Anne Sofie von Otter,Lynne Dawson et al., 1988 (Philips) nominated Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance
Leclair,Scylla et Glaucus, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists, 1988 (Erato), winner of Gramophone Classical Music Award
Monteverdi,Vespro Della Beata Vergine, recorded live with the Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists,Bryn Terfel et al. atSt Mark’s Basilica, 1989 (DG Archiv)[55]
Mozart,Idomeneo, recorded with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists, Sylvia McNair, Anne Sofie von Otter et al. (DG Archiv), winner of Gramophone Classical Music Award, nominated forGrammy Award for Best Opera Recording[56]
Gardiner is the son of the British rural revivalist and Nazi sympathizerRolf Gardiner (1902–1971),[58] and the grandson of the EgyptologistAlan Gardiner (1879–1963). His mother, Marabel Hodgkin, was a member of theHodgkin family, a notableQuaker family; the artist SirHoward Hodgkin (1932–2017) was Gardiner's first cousin.[59]
Gardiner was married to violinist Elizabeth Wilcock from 1981 to 1997;[citation needed] they have three daughters, including screenwriter and showrunnerFrancesca Gardiner.[60] From 2001 to 2019 he was married to Isabella de Sabata,[61] granddaughter of conductorVictor de Sabata.[62]
In his spare time, Gardiner runs a farm at Springhead nearFontmell Magna[63] inDorset, which was established by his great-uncle, composerHenry Balfour Gardiner. His continued involvement in this project has earned him the nickname 'Uphill Gardiner' as a consequence of his unorthodox farming methods.[64]
^"Birthdays today".The Telegraph. 20 April 2012. Archived fromthe original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved20 April 2014.Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor, 69
