Edo de Waart to Become Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate in 2017

MILWAUKEE, WIS. 02/12/2015 – The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has announced that Music Director Edo de Waart will become its conductor laureate in September 2017. De Waart has led the orchestra since the 2009.10 season and has raised the artistic profile of the MSO to the highest levels. Highlights of his remarkable tenure include a critically acclaimed appearance at Carnegie Hall as part of the Spring for Music Festival; a fully-staged production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with a renowned international cast; a celebrated Rachmaninoff cycle; a festival featuring the works of composer John Adams; and numerous recording releases on the MSO’s digital label. In the conductor laureate role, Edo de Waart will continue to appear annually with the MSO from the 2017.18 season onward.

“Since the beginning of my tenure as music director, it has been a tremendous privilege to lead this remarkable group of musicians. I cherish the relationship we share and the artistic results we have achieved,” said de Waart. “I am gratified and honored to assume the role of conductor laureate, and look forward to continuing to work with the MSO in the future.”

President & Executive Director Mark Niehaus stated, “Edo’s presence and leadership has been transformational for this orchestra. His dedication and commitment to excellence has been inspirational to me, and he has truly brought the orchestra to new artistic heights. Personally, I have greatly enjoyed our partnership first on the stage and then shepherding the orchestra and its mission. I am pleased that with this announcement we have ample time to conduct a thoughtful and well-structured search for our next music director.

“We look forward to Edo’s remaining seasons here and his future appearances as our conductor laureate,” stated Niehaus.

Board Chair Andy Nunemaker said, “We are so grateful to Maestro de Waart for his wonderful work with the MSO over the years. I, along with the Milwaukee community, have had the opportunity to enjoy many artistically vibrant performances led by Maestro de Waart. We express our gratitude to him for all that he has done and will continue to do in the coming seasons.”

Concertmaster Frank Almond said, “Edo has been nothing short of a transformational leader for our orchestra. It has been an honor to work with him as concertmaster to elevate the artistry of the MSO. He has both challenged and inspired us as musicians, and we look forward to wonderful music-making in his remaining seasons with us and beyond.”

Under Maestro de Waart’s dynamic leadership, the MSO is considered among the finest orchestras in the nation. He has led sold-out concerts and elicited acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Considered one of the foremost “orchestra builders,” Edo de Waart has held the top artistic posts of such orchestras as the Rotterdam Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic and he remains the current chief donductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic.

ABOUT THE MSO
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Edo de Waart, is among the finest orchestras in the nation and the largest cultural institution in Wisconsin. Now in his sixth season with the MSO, Maestro de Waart has led sold-out concerts, elicited critical acclaim, and conducted a celebrated performance at Carnegie Hall on May 11, 2012. The MSO’s full-time professional musicians perform over 135 classics, pops, family, education, and community concerts each season in venues throughout the state. Since its inception in 1959, the MSO has found innovative ways to give music a home in the region, develop music appreciation and talent among area youth, and raise the national reputation of Milwaukee.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.