Things are looking up for the newly-installed music director of the London Philharmonic.
He has just got called to make a Philadelphia Orchestra debut next February.
‘ He replaces Donald Runnicles, who has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict,’ says the press release.
Odd.
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Runnicles is recently appointed as Principal guest conductor of Sydney Symphony, and will be giving many concerts in Australia, including in February. Perhaps that may explain the cancellation.
Professional music director gets professional conducting job and therefore must cancel some work conflicting with their new job.
Odd.
Professional person makes professional commitment then withdraws. Odd.
Not ‘professional’. Odd? Mmm, yes and no.
Maestro Runnicles has a prior commitment to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as Principle Guest Conductor. He may have been called to substitute for five concerts at the end of February, 2020. Those were the same time as the three in Philadelphia, making a 21 hour plane trip impossible. Gardner got the nod for an all-English program. Sensible, not odd.
Go Ed!
How wonderful for him. Great guy and a great unassuming conductor.
I went to his cond. Verdi Requiem last night RFH with the Philharmonic.
Not a bad beginning at-all, and whilst that orchestra (of which I am generally a supportive fan)is never going to “sound” Italian in terms of the upper brightwork and colours of the lower strings, there was plenty of nice detail and some delicious tempi transitions and knowing when to hold-back. Less is always more in Verdi, and silence is never quiet.
Also, the singers were at the front (hurray!!) and not stuck at the back next to the chorus as seems to be the awful fashion amongst some conductors these days.
(he also cond, from memory) which I think tends to indicate some degree of self-confidence in the amount of study dedicated to the work 😉
Or that he’s done it quite a few times recently 🙂
My favourite quote about conducting from memory:
Q: “Do you use the score when you conduct?”
A: “Of course, I can read music”
It could only be Knappertsbusch.
The programme is English music.
The Telegraph review of Verdi’s Requiem called Edward Gardner the most exciting British conductor of his generation. His performance of the Requiem with the Minnesota Orchestra, Chorus, and four stellar soloists was one of the most compelling concerts I have ever heard. He is a worthy replacement for the esteemed Runnicles.