Kenneth Woods is also principal guest conductor of the Orchestra of the Swan, with whom he has made a series of recordings of the symphonies of Hans Gál and Robert Schumann for Avie. (Read his blog for Gramophone on his Gál/Schumann series here.) He has recorded with the Northern Sinfonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, too, and in August makes his first recording with the English Chamber Orchestra.

‘We started exploring possibilities with Ken towards the end of last year, asking him to curate the Malvern concert series during 2013, at the end of which we planned to take stock,’ said ESO CEO Peter Sheeran. ‘In the event, his involvement with the different elements that make up the ESO has been a shot in the arm for us and we see every reason to bring forward his appointment. We are announcing our new season next month and want to have Ken at the forefront of it.’