James Loughran

Conductor James Loughran was a popular figure across the U.K. who excelled in the difficult task of succeeding the legendary John Barbirolli as conductor of the Hallé Orchestra. He worked with various other ensembles and became the first British conductor to lead a major German orchestra as principal conductor. Loughran had an international career as a guest conductor. He amassed a substantial recording career, remaining active into late life and seeing his earlier performances reissued; a 1968 broadcast on which he led the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra was issued by the Lyrita label in 2016. Loughran died in Bearsden, Scotland, on June 19, 2024.