German conductor takes 4th US job

German conductor takes 4th US job

main

norman lebrecht

August 03, 2018

Remember Eckart Preu?

He’s music director of the Long Beach Symphony, in California, as well as orchestras in Spokane and Stamford.

As of yesterday, he’s also music director in Portland, Maine, starting next summer.

He sure gets around.

Comments

  • Doug says:

    He must be Mormon.

  • professor says:

    He is relinquishing Stamford and Spokane, but you forgot the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

  • The View from America says:

    He gets around because he’s good.

  • drummerman says:

    Long Beach, Cincinnati, Portland….three different regions, two different time zones. No matter how good he is — and I’m sure he is — how can he (or anyone) possibly give equal time/care/consideration to three orchestras? I once knew a conductor who had three orchestras but at least all were in the same state!

    • professor says:

      Simple: None of them offer enough work!

      Your question would be reasonable if you’re talking about Nezet-Seguin at the Met and the Philadelphia orchestra simultaneously, but orchestras like Stamford and Long Beach have limited seasons, and they don’t want to see the music director every week anyhow.

    • Bruce says:

      FYI, the Cincinnati job is a summers-only gig that does (if I remember correctly) 3 programs a year. Being music director probably involves showing up for fundraising and publicity events at other times during the year too.

      • The View from America says:

        That’s correct.

        The number of concerts at all three organizations taken together don’t add up to the size of the season at the 15 (or maybe even 20) largest American orchestras.

        • drummerman says:

          My comment was not whether it was “mathematically” possible to do all 3 gigs – I said “equal time/care/consideration.” Emphasis on care and consideration. There’s more to being a music director than showing up the night before your first rehearsal, then leaving town when the concert’s over.

          But what do I know? I’ve just been managing orchestras for 30+ years.

          I wish Maestro Preu great success — may he earn many frequent flier miles.

          • Bruce says:

            I would say it’s quite possible to put in proportional care & consideration. If you can get a conductor to answer his e-mail, you & he can get a lot done when he’s not in town.

  • MOST READ TODAY: