Charles Hazlewood Concerts

Experience Charles Hazlewood

Charles Hazlewood (born 1957) is a British conductor, cellist, and arranger renowned for his innovative and genre-bending approach to classical music. Initially gaining recognition as a celebrated cellist with the Beaux Arts Quartet, Hazlewood transitioned to conducting, forging a unique path blending orchestral performance with electronic music and visual elements.

He founded the British Paraorchestra – the world’s first ensemble of professional disabled musicians – in 2011, significantly expanding access and challenging perceptions within classical music. This groundbreaking project garnered numerous awards, including a BAFTA for ‘Paraorchestra: Changing the Orchestra’.

Hazlewood's discography includes critically acclaimed recordings like “Re-Imagineering” (2014), featuring orchestral reinterpretations of Radiohead’s music, and “The Rite of Spring Reimagined” (2016), a collaboration with electronic musician Robert Ziegler. He’s known for deconstructing and rebuilding iconic works, often incorporating live visuals and improvisation.

Beyond performance, Hazlewood is a passionate advocate for inclusivity in music education and has held positions at several leading institutions, including the Royal College of Music.