New Chief Conductor - philharmonie zuidnederland
Photo: Hugo Thomassen
Starting September 2021, British conductor Duncan Ward will be philharmonie zuidnederland’s new chief conductor. “The combination of know-how and skill, as well as charisma, are especially important when choosing a new chief conductor for philharmonie zuidnederland, aiming for a fruitful collaboration for years to come. Duncan Ward is an excellent choice to guide the orchestra and shape it in the coming period,” the orchestra’s intendant Stefan Rosu explained. This week, Ward will conduct the orchestra in a Livestream Concert from Eindhoven.
Duncan made his debut with philharmonie zuidnederland in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in the 19/20 season. “I felt a natural connection with the orchestra from the first rehearsal, and was very excited by our musical exchange on one of the most notoriously demanding works in the repertoire - Debussy’s Jeux. I sensed that this was a palette of colours and a collection of open, curious musicians that I would love to get to know better.”
Duncan Ward and philharmonie zuidnederland
Both the orchestra and Duncan Ward share the vision that classical music can enrich everyone’s life. The philharmonie zuidnederland offers a great diversity of activities for various audiences, much like Ward who, as a conductor and a composer, strongly commits himself to making classical music much more broadly accessible. Ward has an extensive knowledge of the repertoire: his musical interests are broad, reaching well beyond the styles traditionally associated with classical music, and he is widely respected for his interpretation of contemporary music. Together with philharmonie zuidnederland, he will perform a wide range of repertoire, whilst engaging in innovative projects to nurture the orchestra into the future. Ward’s positive energy and infectious enthusiasm combined with the orchestra’s musical qualities are sure to create an exceptional experience for the audience. “Duncan knows how to fathom a musical score and bring a composer’s intentions vividly to life. He possesses the natural authority, conducting technique and experience to communicate his interpretation to the musicians. He is a motivator through and through: he motivates people to bring out the best in themselves. He is demanding, but always with trust, friendliness, and respect,” said Stefan Rosu. Ward has been appointed for an initial term of three seasons, from September 2021 on.
www.philharmoniezuidnederland.nl/stream
Livestream: Thursday October 29th - 20:00 CET
Haydn Symphony no 49 ‘La Passione’
Fiumara See the Sky About to Rain for 1,5m distance orchestra (world première)
Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Milhaud La création du monde