The Royal Academy of Music has announced the appointment of Oliver Knussen as ’Richard Rodney Bennett Professor of Music’.
 
As well as working with the Academy’s composition students he will regularly rehearse and conduct the Manson Ensemble, the Academy’s specialist new music group which is one of the world’s most active student ensembles of its type, often engaging in notable partnerships and premieres with the London Sinfonietta.
 
Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, the Academy’s Principal, said: ‘Oliver Knussen is one of the greatest musical polymaths of our time as composer, conductor and teacher. He’s already shown himself as an inspiration to younger generations at the Academy and I doubt there’s anyone who can rival his knowledge of 20th-century music! I am delighted to welcome him to our substantial roster of illustrious colleagues.’
 
In January Knussen will conduct the Academy's Manson Ensemble in a programme featuring his Two Organa alongside music by Rodney Bennett, Cashian, Maxwell Davies and Ryan Latimer. More details of the concert can be found here.