Hay Sessions, Simon Rattle

Sir Simon Rattle discusses his Berlin Philharmonic conducting career at the Hay Festival 2012. Rattle made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1987, performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, and became chief conductor and artistic director in September 2002. He was originally contracted until 2012, but the orchestra have voted to keep him on until 2018. Rattle, who was born in Liverpool and knighted in 2004, is known for his criticism of the lack of British state funding for arts and culture, and will discuss these issues with music writer Tom Service.