“The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is searching for a new music director,” writes Janelle Gelfand in Thursday’s (1/7) Cincinnati Enquirer. “Paavo Järvi , 47, told orchestra musicians on Thursday that his last concert will be in May of 2011, at the end of his 10th season. … Järvi became the orchestra’s 12th music director in September 2001. In May of 2007, the Cincinnati Symphony extended his contract through the 2010-11 season and, in an unusual gesture, added an evergreen clause, automatically renewing each season by mutual agreement. Ultimately, it was Järvi who made the decision to leave at the end of his current contract, said the orchestra’s president, Trey Devey. … Under Järvi, the orchestra achieved a high level of musical excellence, and recordings and concerts were praised around the world. During his tenure, he hired 18 musicians, or about one-fifth of the 88 musicians in the orchestra, and six of those are principal players. … In November, the orchestra returned from a 10-day tour of Japan, where it performed seven concerts in sold-out houses in four cities. Järvi led the orchestra’s first nationally televised concert in Japan at NHK Hall in Tokyo. Next month, Järvi and the orchestra will return to New York’s Carnegie Hall for the orchestra’s 47th performance on the celebrated stage since 1917.”
Photo of Paavo Järvi leading the Cincinnati Symphony by Mark Lyons
Posted January 8, 2010
