Sir Simon Rattle was born in Liverpool in 1955. He joined the Merseyside Youth Orchestra as a percussionist when he was just 10 years old and remains the only musician in the 52 year history of the MYO to win a place under the usual entrance age of 13.

When he was 16, he joined the Royal Academy of Music in London to study conducting. In 1973, he returned to Liverpool to conduct the MYO at the Philharmonic Hall in a performance of Rachmaninov’s Symphony No 2.

In 1974, he won the John Player International Conducting Competition and subsequently held a number of conducting positions with UK orchestras (including the Liverpool Phil), before taking the baton with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1980. He joined the Berlin Philharmonic in September 2002.

Sir Simon Rattle.

Sir Simon has a worldwide reputation for creating compelling orchestral concerts across the classical repertoire; his home-coming will open up the classical world to many people who may not normally be exposed to it. It will also act as evidence of the international significance of Capital of Culture to the rest of the watching world.

Sir Simon described his feelings on returning to Liverpool for this special occasion:

“I’m delighted to be back in Liverpool with the Phil during what will undoubtedly be a momentous year."

In the music and arts worlds, his time in Liverpool will be one of the most eagerly anticipated events of 2008.