Maestro move: St Louis goes French

Maestro move: St Louis goes French

main

norman lebrecht

June 08, 2017

The St Louis Symphony has appointed Stéphane Denève to succeed David Robertson as music director in 2019.

Denève, 45, has been music director in Scotland and Stuttgart. He is presently with the Brussels Philharmonic.

He has guest-conducted in St Louis since 2003.

Comments

  • Alexander says:

    France, Russia, Italy and Austria are the countries which cherish and take care of classical culture as their national property … just my opinion, of course …
    P.S. … a little bird told me recently there are no quality sound concert venues of in London…. hopefully “still no”

  • Olassus says:

    I think he’s terrific. But why didn’t Stuttgart keep him after the merge?

  • Alexander says:

    in London 🙂

  • Arthur Serating says:

    Heard him in New York a few years ago and I was hoping he’d be in the running toi replace Gilbert.

  • M2N2K says:

    A very charismatic and charming maestro. It is difficult for me to imagine him as a strong music director.

  • Linda Grace says:

    In Philadelphia Deneuve has proved charming as well as a man of substance. Perhaps the imagining of him as a strong music director has to do with his love of John Williams,
    his chatty introductions (what’s not to like with that French accent even if the intros are sometimes a bit long), and the fact that most of the musicians and even the audience like him.
    Surely a recipe for disaster.

  • Gabriele says:

    my modest comment. I would translate ” künstlerischer Gesamtleiter” as general artistic director.

  • M2N2K says:

    His engaging personality and self-deprecating style essentially guarantee that both musicians and audiences will like him initially. However, in longer terms this does not always translate into a fully successful musical directorship. If he lasts as long and as successfully in StLouis as has his predecessor, all fans of his musicianship including me will be delighted for him as well as for the orchestra’s musicians and local audiences.

  • Mark Mortimer says:

    St Louis have a bit of history regards not hitting it off with their music directors. Most notably- the talented Belgian- Van Remorteel in the 60’s I think- whom they gave a very rough ride. I suppose Slatkin is the only one who made much of an impact- turning them from a modest group into a very slick symphonic machine to rival the big 5.

    • Olassus says:

      Well, sure, he did so. But the achievements of David Robertson are great too.

      • M2N2K says:

        Having worked with both of them as guest conductors on many occasions, I have a feeling that while LS may be a more meticulous orchestra builder, DR is certainly a more exciting and inspiring performer.

  • MOST READ TODAY: