Jonathan Cohen (conductor)

After finishing his studies at Clare College, Cambridge, Cohen began his professional career by establishing himself as a cellist. He performed as guest principal with many of the UK's foremost orchestras and ensembles, both symphonic and period. With this experience he developed a speciality in the field of early music and an interest in period instruments. He was a founder member of the London Haydn Quartet in 2000 and continues to perform chamber music with friends and colleagues.

Cohen is Artistic Director and founder of the British early music ensemble Arcangelo, which he founded in 2010^[1] as an outgrowth of his assembling an orchestra for a recording project with Iestyn Davies, whom he had known since university.^[2] With Arcangelo he has recorded a wide range of music, from Porpora and Handel to Gluck and Mozart, including albums for Hyperion Records with soloists Iestyn Davies MBE and Christopher Purves.

Cohen has been the Artistic Director of the Tetbury Music Festival since 2013.^[3]

Cohen is Artistic Partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Minnesota, US) and Associate Conductor of Les Arts Florissants.^[2]

On 6 October 2016, the Quebec City-based period orchestra Les Violons du Roy named Cohen its next music director, effective with the 2017–2018 season.^[4]

Cohen first guest-conducted the Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) in February 2020.^[5] He returned for additional guest appearances in April 2022 and October 2022.^[6] In November 2022, H+H announced the appointment of Cohen as its next artistic director, effective with the 2023-2024 season, with an initial contract of five seasons.^[7][8]