Composer/Violist Brett Dean Announced as BBC Symphony's 'Artist in Association'

The BBC Symphony Orchestra has today announced the appointment of Australian composer and violist Brett Dean as their new 'Artist in Association' - for the next three seasons.

Dean will work with the orchestra as a soloist, composer and conductor – including a scheduled solo performance of his own viola concerto during the 2015-16 season.

The orchestra will also perform a number of Dean's compositions during the 2014/2015 season - including the UK premieres of 'The Annunciation' for orchestra and Dean's trumpet concerto – with soloist Hakan Hardenberger.

Australian-born, Dean, 53, served as a former member of the Berlin Philharmonic viola section from 1985 to 1999 - and in 2009 was awarded the coveted $100,000 Grawemeyer Award for Music Competition.

He has previously served as Artist-in-Residence with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Cheltenham and Trondheim Music Festivals.