Edward Gardner, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir - Rachmaninoff: The Bells & Symphonic Dances (2025)

Edward Gardner is an English conductor. In his childhood he was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral, and he took lessons in clarinet, piano, and organ. After graduating from the King's School and Eton College, he attended the University of Cambridge as a choral scholar in the celebrated King's College Choir. He developed an interest in conducting at Eton and Cambridge, and pursued it at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under Colin Metters and graduated in 2000. He was the musical director of the Wokingham Choral Society from 1997 to 2002. At the invitation of Michael Gielen, Gardner became a répétiteur at the Salzburg Festival in 1999, and he also became assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra, working with Mark Elder. From 2004 to 2007, Gardner was the music director of Glyndebourne on Tour. He won the Young Artist prize of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2005, and the following year he was named the music director of the English National Opera, a position he held until 2015. He was named principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2010, and principal guest conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013. He has recorded for EMI Classics, Glyndebourne, and Chandos.

Track List:
1. Rachmaninoff: The Bells, Op. 35: I. Allegro ma non tanto (The Silver Sleigh-Bells) (6:32)
2. Rachmaninoff: The Bells, Op. 35: II. Lento (The Mellow Wedding Bells) (10:57)
3. Rachmaninoff: The Bells, Op. 35: III. Presto (The Loud Alarm Bells) (8:43)
4. Rachmaninoff: The Bells, Op. 35: IV. Lento lugubre (The Mournful Iron Bells) (11:20)
5. Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: I. Non allegro (11:41)
6. Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) (9:35)
7. Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace (13:03)