Baton break: Vienna Philharmonic principal is named chief conductor in France
UncategorizedThe principal second violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Christoph Koncz, was today appointed chief conductor of the Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse in France.
Koncz, who played the child prodigy in the film The Red Violin, was appointed principal of the Vienna Phil in 2008, aged 20.
He will now probably have to give up his day job and return the Strad that is on loan to him from Austria’s national bank.
He is agented by HarrisonParrott in London.
Outstanding musician, soloist, violinist. Congratulations on a wonderful appointment.
In other words: good riddance!
You are the winner of the SD “Sour Puss” of the month award.
And the competition for that award is always quite stiff!
I like to remember Thomas Koncz as GMD in Konstanz back in the 90s.
Good old days.
Never heard of that film….
Or maybe not! There’s 3 principals (actually 2 at this moment because Tibor Kovac moved to tutti second violins) and 3 associate principals in their second violin section so he can do other jobs.
And being a chief conductor doesn’t mean that you are every week/season in your orchestra
Many Philharmoniker pick up part-time jobs, e.g. honorary professorships, or they give master classes.
Does someone know why Tibor Kovac moved to tutti violins ? I noticed the fact and was surprised by it.
Usually orchestra musician’s contract has on opinion that if you are principal or associate principal – you can move “down” in your section with the same salary of principal/associate principal when:
– No 1. You have turned 50
– No 2. You have served that particular orchestra at least 15-20 years
– No 3. There’s open position in your section by retirement or player has left to another job
Of course that might be a bit different in each orchestra / country but that’s my country’s example. But that’s so common especially here in Europe.
One good example is Tamás Velenczei who played principal trumpet in Berlin Phil between 2000-2018 and when then 2nd trumpet retired, he was moving that vacant 2nd chair.
So I’m guessing that Mr. Kovac felt that now it might be good time to take section position / lighter job, when there was at least 2-3 retirement in his section.
Thank you for this detailed answer !
Or perhaps he’s just tired of playing second fiddle.
Oh, dear boy, please don’t. Stay in the orchestra.
more money in conducting. that’s why so many try. From great instrumentalists turning into horrible conductors, Ottensamer, Kavakos, Znaider, many more…
Just don’t do it please!