Simon Murphy (conductor)

Simon Francis Murphy (born 26 August 1973) is a Dutch-based, Australian conductor and viola player with a focus on the music of the 18th and early 19th centuries. He is originally from Balmain, Sydney, Australia.

Murphy is notable for his work in rediscovering and reintroducing 18th-century European and symphonic composers, particularly from and related to the Mannheim School (Mannheimer Schule). Murphy has also popularized the previously unknown Dutch 18th-century symphonic tradition through performances on radio and TV broadcasts and the first CD recording of symphonic heritage. In particular, he has focused on 18th-century composers Joseph Schmitt "The Dutch Haydn" and Francesco Zappa, making the first CD recordings and new editions of their symphonic works.

Murphy has won the Dutch Edison Award and Luxembourg's Supersonic Award. In the double role of conductor/soloist (viola), He has appeared at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Sydney Festival, the Istanbul Music Festival, and Premiere Performances Hong Kong.