Pasadena picks an American music director
OrchestrasThe Pasadena Symphony in California has named Brett Mitchell as its incoming music director. Mitchell, 46, has been a guest with the orchestra in each of the past two seasons. He is a former assistant to Franz Welser-Möst at the Cleveland Orchestra.
I stopped going to Pasadena Symphony concerts after they became a pop orchestra and moved their venue to an ugly hall.
Colorado Symphony to Pasadena Symphony is one of the bigger drops I’ve seen a music director take
Colorado seems to have trouble settling on music directors: Kahane, Litton, and Mitchell all had unusually short terms.
Yes, it is an odd move.
It’s not a move, he has not been the MD there since 2021. He’s been a YouTube artist.
Congrats to Brett‼️
Who cares!?!
A savvy choice for a Southern California orchestra, he has his own YouTube channels with over 200 videos and can help the symphony gain visibility on social media.
Is that the best reason to hire a music director?
If you’re low on funds, yes.
With his busy conducting schedule I hope he will have enough time to continue uploading videos of his new arrangements
IF this guy has been a regular guest for 20 years and hasn’t got a plum job during all this time…. What does that tell you?
The orchestra has 6 (!) classical concerts a year. This is not a real musical directorship.
Like I said they re-branded as “Pasadena Symphony & Pops” years ago. That’s when I stopped going.
What’s the matter with “pops”?
It’s like renaming your high-end restaurant “Brasserie & hot dogs”
For many an American conductor, this is as high as they rise, regional, local orchestras with small budgets.