Stephen Layton stands out among conductors for having developed substantial careers in both choral and orchestral spheres. Although his position as director of music at Trinity College, Cambridge, accounts for much of his visibility, he has consistently promoted modern compositions.
Born in Derby, England, on December 23, 1966, Layton grew up with a father who served as a church organist. His early exposure to choral traditions led him to become a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, after which he secured scholarships first to Eton College and subsequently to Cambridge University, where he won the post of organ scholar at King’s College. There he performed with the renowned choir and soon chose to pursue choral conducting as his vocation. While still a student he established the mixed-voice ensemble Polyphony in 1986. He has stayed closely involved with the group, which expanded its repertory past its initial focus on early music, relocated to London, and issued numerous recordings; their first album together appeared in 1995 and featured James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross. Polyphony has also taken part in world premieres of major pieces, among them Alfred Schnittke’s Symphony No. 2.
Layton’s earlier appointments included assistant organist at Southwark Cathedral, director of the Wokingham Choral Society, and director of music at London’s medieval Temple Church. In northwestern Europe he served as chief conductor of the Netherlands Chamber Choir from 1999 to 2004 and as chief guest conductor of the Danish National Vocal Ensemble from 2000 to 2012. Beyond Polyphony he directs three further ensembles: the Holst Singers, which he joined in 1993; the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, where his work began in 1996 and later led to the directorship of music; and the City of London Sinfonia, for which he was named artistic director in 2009 before receiving the title of principal conductor. The breadth of his activity is reflected in the fact that he has produced major recordings with each of these organizations. By the late 2010s his discography, much of it released on the Hyperion label, exceeded fifty albums and ranged widely in style. In 2019 the Choir of Trinity College recorded choral music by Gerald Finzi under his direction, while Polyphony released a version of Karl Jenkins’ Miserere. Layton maintained a steady pace through the COVID-19 period, issuing an album of Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s music in 2020, one devoted to Cecilia McDowall in 2021, another featuring Ivo Antognini in 2023, and a further collection of anthems by Elgar and additional composers, also in 2023—all with the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, on Hyperion. In March 2023 he relinquished the directorship of the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, in order to concentrate on guest conducting.
