Owain Arwel Hughes
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Owain Arwel Hughes OBE (born 1942) is a Welsh orchestral conductor. In 2003, he was appointed Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hughes was born in Cardiff, the son of another successful conductor, Arwel Hughes. He studied at University College, Cardiff, and the Royal College of Music. He studied conducting under Sir Adrian Boult, Bernard Haitink and Rudolf Kempe.
He became well-known after a rousing televised performance of William Walton's Belshazzar’s Feast, which won the praise of the composer himself. He later hosted a BBC series, The Much-Loved Music Show. From 1980 to 1986, he was Associate Conductor of the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, and from 1994 to 1999 he was Principal Conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra. He has also made numerous recordings, including works such as Verdi's Requiem and Handel's Messiah. He has championed less well-known composers, including recording a complete cycle of the symphonies of the Danish composer Vagn Holmboe. He is also the Artistic Director of the Welsh Proms, which he founded.
In 2004, he was awarded the OBE for services to music.
Hughes has also for many years been the Chairman of Governors at the John Lyon School, in Harrow - one of the country's top independent day schools.
