Biography
Award-winning and critically acclaimed British conductor and composer Benjamin Ellin is currently co-founder and Musical Director of De Mowbray Music, Music Director of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, co-founder, conductor and composer of the contemporary-fusion ensemble Tafahum, Principal Conductor of the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra and President of Pembroke Academy of Music, London. Benjamin is also a founding trustee of the Evgeny Svetlanov Charitable Trust.
His belief in the positive power of music within society is reflected in the wide-ranging projects of which he is currently a major figurehead. Ellin’s belief in a musical world without boundaries is equalled by a tireless commitment as a guest artist and as a Music Director. This is illustrated by his ongoing work in North Yorkshire through the Thirsk Hall Festival and De Mowbray Music, his contemporary-fusion ensemble Tafahum, opera festivals and performances across the UK including Focus Opera (2007 – 2015), a wide commitment to outreach and development work as well as curating projects and collaborations with leading ensembles across the globe. From 2006-2010 Benjamin was also Music Director of Pembroke Academy of Music in London, which provides vital musical education and opportunities to the young members of the Walworth community.
His 2022-23 seasons features no less than two major CD releases of his own music, the World Premiere of his ‘Symphony No. 1’ to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of conductor and composer Evgeny Svetlanov, full seasons of performances at Thursford and in Huddersfield with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic alongside his continued work with De Mowbray Music and the Thirsk Hall Festival.
His 2022-23 seasons features no less than two major CD releases of his own music, the World Premiere of his ‘Symphony No. 1’ to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of conductor and composer Evgeny Svetlanov, full seasons of performances at Thursford and in Huddersfield with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic alongside his continued work with De Mowbray Music and the Thirsk Hall Festival.
In recent seasons Benjamin has performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jena Philharmonic, Orchestre de Picardie, Hulencourt Soloists Chamber Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orchestre National de Lille, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra (Japan), St Petersburg Symphony, Orchestre National de Montpellier, Teatro Massimo Palermo, Orchestra del Teatro Regio Turin, Russian State Symphony Orchestra, New Russian Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestre Chambre de Catalogne and the Luxembourg Philharmonic amongst others.