New chief conductor in Scotland
mainThe Scottish Chamber Orchestra has just named Maxim Emelyanychev as its next principal conductor.
He succeeds Robin Ticciati, who went on to bigger things in Berlin.
A student of Gennady Rozhdestvensky in Moscow, Emelyanychev, 30, is currently conducting Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d’Oro in a cross-Europe tour. Joyce says: ‘I wish Maxim every success in his new appointment with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. I am certain that he will bring a heartfelt, adventurous, monumental presence and vision.’
Very exciting and enthusiastic conductor. Saw him in March at the Liverpool Phil conducting Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s London Symphony.
I can’t judge his musicianship, but this announcement makes me reflect on what strikes me as an excessive emphasis on youth these days in the conducting business. I’m sure he’s good enough for the job, but was there no one a bit more established that seemed good for the job? Was his youth itself an important factor, or is he truly the very best for the SCO at this moment? I’m just thinking out loud….
Pretty face, the SCO seem to like these. At least he has some discernible technique though.