In Thursday’s (1/7) Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Howard Pousner writes, “At a time in his conducting career when he’s saying some goodbyes and hellos, Donald Runnicles will be staying in a familiar role with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The ASO announced Wednesday that the contract of its principal guest conductor has been extended a year, through the 2011-12 season. Runnicles, who concluded a 17-year music directorship at the San Francisco Opera last year, recently began leading Berlin’s Deutsche Oper as well as Glasgow’s BBC Scottish Orchestra. The changes mean that the 55-year-old Scottish-born, German-trained conductor, 55, will continue his Atlanta affiliation while transitioning from his longtime base in San Francisco to Europe. … Runnicles’ tenure with the Atlanta orchestra began in the 2001-02 season, at the same time as music director Robert Spano, meaning both conductors are in their ninth seasons with the orchestra. … Runnicles, who will continue to lead the ASO for four weeks each season through 2011-12, plans to appear as a guest conductor with the orchestra for two weeks annually after his contract ends.”
Posted January 7, 2010
