John Georgiadis started playing the violin at the age of six, which led to a career as a professional violinist culminating in his appointment as concertmaster, first with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, then with the London Symphony Orchestra at the age of 26, a position he held for 14 years. He was a founder member of the London Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble and Orchestra, and also played as first violin in the celebrated Gabrieli String Quartet. His interest in conducting began during the mid-1970s and he studied orchestration for eight years under the legendary conductor and teacher Sergiu Celibidache.

Georgiadis conducted concerts with many British orchestras and he established the Viennese-style New Year’s concert in London which he conducted for 40 consecutive years until 2015. His performances both here and with the Oxford Philharmonic were well-known for their varied repertoire. He made Viennese repertoire his speciality, recording Strauss family music in particular with top British orchestras, and also worldwide for labels including Naxos. He was a longstanding honorary member of The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain.