Maestro move: Slatkin to Vegas
OrchestrasThe Las Vegas Philharmonic has appointed Leonard Slatkin as Artistic Consultant to the orchestra, in its 25th anniversary year.
He will attend the new season gala concert on Saturday, February 24, and conduct a program of American classics on November 9.
‘We are beyond thrilled to welcome the artistry and expertise of Leonard Slatkin,’ said the orchestra.
‘Las Vegas has been one of my go-to places for many years,’ said Slatkin. ‘The opportunities for expanded concert programming, community outreach, and educational initiatives—along with the extraordinary live-performance environment in Las Vegas—unleashes the potential to create something unique in our country.’
Leonard Slatkin is Music Director Laureate of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Directeur Musical Honoraire of the Orchestre National de Lyon, as well as Conductor Laureate of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Loved it when, years ago, maestro Slatkin often appeared as the guest conductor of the NY Phil. The orchestra played beautifully under his baton. Furthermore, his programming of music by American composers (e.g., Howard Hanson), plus his spoken commentary on each piece, created a wonderful musical experience.
Jasper
And if there is complex modern music on the program there isn’t a safer pair of hands than his. I consider him to be one of the most naturally gifted and intelligent conductors I’ve encountered – and a highly entertaining dinner companion!
I used to HATE getting up early in Aspen for conductors orch… but I must say: even not as a conductor, just playing along, Slatkin was a marvelous teacher. The class he created was not only for conductors, it was – if one clued in- for orch members to have a keen eye.
Will he conduct the Las Vegas orchestra?
He’s scheduled to conduct at least one program this fall. I don’t believe the orchestra has announced the full season yet.
Oops! Never mind — I see the orchestra’s executive director answered the question below.
It would be a waste of time. It’s basically one step above a community orchestra in terms of level.
So great for the LV Phil! Hope it’s much fun, Maestro!
Will Slakin conduct the Las Vegas orchestra?
Yes he will! He will conduct our opening concert in November as well as a second in March.
Does this mean that Donato Cabrera is stepping down as music director?
Yes. It was announced last year that this season is his last one there.
Wonderful. Maybe now he can do something more productive, like sell oranges roadside.
Congratulations maestro. Probably the most expert living conductor about American music. And much beyond…
For those of you asking, YES, he will be conducting…a bit.
https://lvphil.org/about/leonard-slatkin/
It’s a great coup for the LVP. The orchestra has sure grown and prospered since its founding by an old friend, Hal Weller. Once a scrappy amateur/semi-pro group it’s become a very good orchestra. Lord knows there’s a lot of musical talent in the city and those players love to play “real” music for a change rather than the stuff encountered in the casino shows.
There’s more than casino music in Las Vegas: it has a thriving jazz scene.
Oh, fer chrissakes.
Those who can, do. (And way often do way way too long, too.)
The rest “consult.”
Is this “ad hominem”? If so, “I am busted.”
It’s not ad hominem.
It’s simply stupid.
Meanwhile in the viola section….
Meanwhile, Fred is in a Funk due to viola envy.
Never heard of “Las Vegas Philharmonic”. Will they play video game music in the Sphere?
Last time they put on “Swan Lake” with the Bolshoi in LV, they sold 50 tickets and the investors lost all their money.
This is sad. All about money. Apparently, he’s a gambling man.
I’m betting he’ll do great things there.
Slatkin has an active conducting schedule, but a “consultant” doesn’t have to spend much time in Las Vegas, just communicate from wherever he happens to be. Nice work if you can get it, aged 80!
I know it was a long shot, but I would’ve loved to see him get his shot at one of the big Five in the US.
Underrated is hardly accurate; criminally under appreciated seems closer
I grew up his Vox Box recording of Rach and his Prokofiev 5 is still tops for me (and a hard to find VW cycle with Philharmonia – #4 is pure rage).
A long shot? A long shot?! Try never. As in never ever. The guy was laughed out of the Met for not knowing the opera he was engaged to conduct.
That’s said, he’s a great choice for the LVP then.
He seems to have followed a higher calling.
La Traviata? Seems it was a glitch in an otherwise hugely successful career.
And not only the Met.
Could be. I’ve never heard that story. I’ve also never heard of an extremely successful person who didn’t have at least a few of those experiences in their back pocket which experience didn’t help to propel them forward.
I guess the “Big 5” concept never really goes away, but he led three great American orchestras: St. Louis, NSO, and Detroit. Arguably St. Louis was his greatest work; long a fine orchestra that gained a lot of visibility in his time there – and perhaps a questionable #2 ranking (behind the CSO) in a 1983 Time Magazine survey. NSO was by his own admission not his most inspired work.
We have to get over the notion that only the “Big 5” count. For that reason I’m hoping Manfred Honeck doesn’t go to the CSO; Pittsburgh is a great orchestra and if he leaves for the CSO it will always look like it was just a steppingstone.
In the end a utilitarian conductor. Easy to follow and amiable but boring.
Two concerts (only one of which he looks to be conducting) is hardly “Slatkin to Vegas” or “Maestro Move.” Maybe “Weekend Casino Junket with Stick?”
Performing Pines of Rome at Chicago’s Midwest Clinic was a highlight of my professional music career. Maestro Slatkin elevated the musicianship of our orchestra and many musicians remember that pinnacle experience. Performed for far too many conductors that demean, diminish musicianship.
Let’s celebrate this symbiotic collaboration with the positivity it deserves.
BRAVO!!!
Seems like a win-win. He probably doesn’t need the money but the LVP will benefit enormously from someone of his pedigree.
When the Philadelphia Orchestra was selecting its successor to Muti, Slatkin, a regular vistor, was third in the poll of the player’s preferences. He hasn’t been here in a long time. Used to work with Curtis regularly too.
I don’t remember him ever conducting. Has even one American ever been considered apart from Spano?
Hard to believe a vulgar, garish city like Las Vegas even has a symphony orchestra. Never heard of it. Must be a huge step down for Slatkin.
I asked him once to look into the excellent music of Nicolai Berezowsky, and his response was, “We can’t play everybody.” As someone who has been a great admirer of his conducting, and his comportment, I was enormously disappointed by his attitude.
It warms my heart to no end to see Maestro Slatkin continue to thrive and bring his endless energy and enthusiasm to yet another ensemble. I was fortunate enough, as a youngster just out of school, to join the Saint Louis Symphony in the early 1980s and be part of a genuinely magical experience. In the decade that I was there, we made many outstanding recordings, played to packed houses, toured internationally, and were beloved in our city. We were proud of our orchestra and we had a tremendous, positive force on the podium. For the rest of my orchestral career and beyond, that experience shaped my direction forever. Thank you, Maestro!