| Christopher Muscat (b. 1977) is a Maltese conductor and composer of mostly chamber
works that have been performed in Europe and elsewhere. As a child Muscat studied the
violin and viola in Valletta. He has performed widely both as soloist as well as in
ensembles and orchestras in Malta, Italy, France, Egypt and the UK. He has also served
as principal violinist of the Malta Youth Orchestra from 1994-1996. In addition, he had
founded the Opus 4 String Quartet in 1998 and served as its violist from 1998-2000.
Muscat studied composition with Joseph Vella and Charles Camilleri and conducting
with Michael Laus at the University of Malta where he earned his B.A. in music studies
with Honours. Later he studied composition with Sebastian Forbes and Steve Goss and
orchestral conducting with Nicholas Conran at the University of Surrey and there earned
his M.Mus with distinction.
As a conductor, Muscat has guest conducted various ensembles and orchestras in Malta
and in Europe and is equally at home in both the standard and the contemporary
repertoires.
He has been responsible for a number of premieres of works by contemporary
composers. Performance highlights include Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with
internationally renowned clarinettist David Campbell ("there was lots of understanding
between the internationally acclaimed clarinettist David Campbell and the conductor" -
The Sunday Times) and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 'From the New World' in a Concert
for Peace organised to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001
("definitely one of the best performances by the National Orchestra of Malta..." - The
Times of Malta). Muscat's "clear conducting style" (It-Torca), "high quality conducting"
and "accomplished conducting technique" (The Sunday Times) have received constant
critical and public praise.
The local press has also described Muscat as "a young composer of outstanding talent"
(The Sunday Times) and the "stark originality" (The Malta Independent) of his works
has earned him an increasing reputation. Among his honours in composition are First
Prizes in the Joyce Dixey competition in Surrey (in 2000 for Titrida) and in the Jaume
Dotras Serrabella Polyphonic Competition (in 2006 for Ave Maria for SATB choir a
cappella). Christopher Muscat is also very much active in other positions. He has served
as composer-in-residence to the Linoi Ensemble in the UK since 2000. In May 2005, his
Prologue to Franz Schubert's Der Leiermann from "Wintereisse" was premiered at the
Philharmonie in Berlin.
Christopher Muscat is the Music Director of the Jubilate Deo Choir and for the past five
seasons was also the chorus master for the operas held at the Teatru Manoel – Malta’s
National Theatre. As founding conductor of VOCALISE (a voluntary organisation
aiming at providing training and opportunities for talented singers), Muscat has coached
and conducted a number of productions, amongst these Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and
Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, entirely made up of young Maltese singers.
Moreover, he had founded the Malta Stock Exchange 20th Century Music Series in
2001, the first of its kind in Malta, and served as its artistic director in 2001-02. Muscat
is a member on the executive committee of the European String Teachers' Association
(Malta). Muscat has taught music at the University of Malta since 2003.
Christopher Muscat has recorded the works of Maltese Romantic composer Paolino
Vassallo on CD for the label ORKESTRA NAZZJONALI LIVE. |
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