Maestro move: Miguel takes Rice
NewsThe Peru-born conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, former chief of Fort Worth Symphony (2002-2020) and Norwegian Radio (2013-2020),is to be Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting at Shepherd School, Rice University.
The post has been vacant since Larry Racleff’s death in 2022. ‘Under Miguel’s direction, we anticipate an era of transformative orchestral experiences for our students,’ said Dean Matthew Loden.
‘Rice is not only training musicians; it is shaping the future of orchestral leadership,’ said Rice Provost Amy Dittmar.
Harth-Bedoya said: ‘Throughout my career, I’ve championed the development of the next generation of musical talent. The chance to do that at such a renowned institution is truly exciting. Together, we’ll inspire and challenge each other to excel and create unique and transformative opportunities to prepare musicians for the 21st century.
Usually when this happens, it’s the end of the maestro’s non-academic career.
Would one say the same for David Robertson?
or Yannick?
Yannick is hardly in academia. The Curtis program has not been active and well structured in years, and even with it’s ‘re-opening’ soon it will still not involve him as a full-time teacher.
After Ft. Worth & the issues there, it’s understandable why any conductor would make the move to academia. MHB is a fine conductor. He also strives for integrity, he’s opinionated & he doesn’t mince words. Not sure how that will fly in academia but I think he got sick of trying to make it work as a pro conductor.
When he left Fort Worth, he took a job at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, a total head scratcher. Then he left there for Baylor, which is at least back in Texas. The move to Rice, a top music school, makes a ton of sense from his perspective. Plus Rice generally pays well.
Even while at Baylor, he had some good guest conducting gigs. I assume his profile would only improve at Rice.
Absolutely overhyped. Rice had an opportunity and could have hired a proper stick waver — very unfortunate! Seems to be political more than anything
What makes you think he won’t be a great educator? Larry Rachleff had a much less illustrious professional career as a conductor and ended up as the greatest orchestral educator in the country.
You are right, he may be a good educator. Any media (video) available online is proof however that he is a below average conductor on the podium compared to his peers. He may talk well and find fun metaphors to describe the music, convince an American donor on the way, etc., but he surely can’t conduct. If I were a young conductor I wouldn’t want to learn/emulate his “technique”.
Naw. I’ve played for him plenty of times & he’s a very good conductor. Kind of petulant at times, but he knows his stuff. Way better than anyone else applying on the University conducting circuit right now. They’re mostly academics with little or no pro experience. Good call by Rice on this.
How is his hire political? He’s not a black trans non binary woman.
Good for Rice!
Houston, we have a problem.
MHB didn’t leave Fort Worth; he still lives there, and his career is very much Texas-based, as evident from his current activities as director of orchestral studies at Baylor University (Waco, TX), music director of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and founding director of The Conducting Institute (based in Fort Worth).
So the appointment to Rice University’s Shepherd Shepherd School (Houston, TX) is a logical move for him. Moreover, he started and operates an environmental business outside of his music career. So heading up another professional orchestra is probably not part of his career plan.
Hard shoes to fill. I performed for Larry and was always very impressed with how professional he was and how talented he was as a musician.
I think MHB will be a good pick if he is ready to devote himself to his students.
He could be a resource for all the professional orchestras in Texas as a last minute backup or a regular guest.
It’s sobering to think both his female intern colleagues at LA Phil (Mirga and another girl) have moved up and higher than he. It’s good to be female in 21st Century.
You might just entertain the notion that the “girls” are just better musicians. Novel thought for your narrow, sexist mind, I venture!