Robert Ames is a conductor, curator and composer.
Conductor
As a conductor, curator and arranger, Robert Ames has been a key exchange agent between the classical tradition and contemporary music.
Robert works closely and has premiered works by many of the leading figures in new music including Philip Glass, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Bryce Dessner, Mica Levi, John Luther Adams, Nico Muhly, Richard Reed Parry, Meredith Monk, Terry Riley, Jonny Greenwood, Anna Meredith and Steve Reich.
Recent collaborations with musicians who inhabit the pop/ electronic and film music world, include Taylor Swift, Actress, Frank Ocean, Little Simz, Sigur Rós, Celeste, The National, Thom Yorke, Justice, alt-J, Kelly Lee Owens, William Basinski, Jamie XX, Self Esteem, Radiohead, DJ Shadow and Labrinth.
Curator
‘The heroic virtuosity of the London Contemporary Orchestra under Robert Ames’s exuberant direction made a vivid impact in a packed Royal Festival Hall.’
The Times
Recent Conducting engagements include performances at The Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Royal Opera House, De Doelen, The Brooklyn Academy Of Arts, Philharmonie De Paris, Elbphilharmonie, The Concertgebouw and The Sydney Opera House, as well as six appearances at the BBC Proms in as many years.
Robert has worked with many of the world’s leading orchestras including the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, L’Orchestre National De Lyon, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Metropole Orkest, RTE Concert Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Moscow New Music Ensemble and Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.
Composer
He was the youngest ever shortlisted nominee for the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Conductor award in 2019, is the co-Founder, Artistic Director and Principle Conductor of the London Contemporary Orchestra and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. In 2021 Robert released his debut album”Change Ringing” following up with “CARBS” in 2022 on Berlin based label Modern Recordings, a division of BMG.
