Duncan Ward

Duncan Ward is among Britain's most versatile conductors of his generation, with talents ranging from the Baroque to contemporary music, from orchestral works to opera. Ward has remained active as a composer; after being named the 2005 BBC Young Composer of the Year, he saw his works performed by major ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra and The Sixteen. In 2020, Ward made his recording debut as chief conductor, leading the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on trumpeter Simon Höfele's album Standards. As of the mid-2020s, Ward held the position of chief conductor with the philharmonie zuidnederland and music director of the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra. In 2023, he led the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in backing violinist Liya Petrova in the Violin Concerto, Op. 30, of William Walton.