Stéphane Denève conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the Usher Hall for the last time as its Music Director in the Rite of Spring concert on Friday 4 May and in his Au Revoir concert on Friday 11 May 2012.
Stéphane Denève’s successor is British-Canadian conductor Peter Oundjian, who has been in Scotland to announce the RSNO’s 121st Season. Now in his fifties he looks back fondly to his solo violin performance in the Edinburgh Fringe when he was eighteen. Peter Oundjian’s arrival signifies a new direction in artistic programming coupled with an emphasis on ensemble development.
In his inaugural concert as Music Director on Friday 5 October in the Usher Hall, Peter Oundjian turns to the Shostakovich’s overwhelmingly powerful Symphony No 11, recognising both the RSNO’s great history of performing and recording that composer, and his own passion for Shostakovich.
On Friday 26 October Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård takes up the specially-revived position of Principal Guest Conductor in a concert of Andersson, Mahler and Sibelius. He conducts three concerts in his first year. His appointment follows the recent arrival of two new Leaders, a new Principal Cello and Principal Second Violin.
RSNO Music Director Designate Peter Oundjian: “It is my great pleasure to be welcomed as part of the RSNO team. I warmly salute the extraordinary achievements of my predecessor Stéphane Denève and wish him all the success in the future. Now, with Thomas’s arrival coinciding with mine, and the ensemble gearing up for a new and exciting chapter, we are very well placed to continue building the excellence of our music making and extending our musical offering to audiences and communities across Scotland.”
RSNO Chief Executive Michael Elliott: “Peter’s arrival is a significant step in RSNO history. He and the RSNO share an ambition to excel and inspire with our music and music making, to reach new audiences and local communities, build innovative partnerships and be at the heart of Scotland’s cultural renaissance.”