The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has announced that Leonard Slatkin will extend his contract as music director for another two years, through the 2012-13 season. In extending his contract, the DSO said Slatkin made adjustments in compensation and will contribute conducting and community weeks without pay. In the February 11 Detroit Free Press, Slatkin said, “It’s just what I have to do to protect the orchestra. It’s to show the orchestra, the board and our donors that at this particular time I’m trying to be responsible, but at the same time keep the artistic integrity at the highest possible level.” The news of the contract extension came as the orchestra announced its 2010-11 season, which will include a complete Beethoven symphony cycle; Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with Michigan Opera Theatre and University Musical Society; and a new arrangement of Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite. The season will feature world premieres of Bright Sheng’s Zodiac Tales, Stephen Rush’s Tango Symphony, and an untitled piece by Du Yun, winner of the DSO’s Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers in 2009. Works scheduled to receive their DSO premieres in 2010-11 include Cindy McTee’s Ballet for Orchestra and Einstein’s Dream; a new work by Osvaldo Golijov in honor of Henry Fogel, former president of the League of American Orchestras; and Daniel Bernard Roumain’s Symphony for Dreamers, Dancers and Presidents, commissioned by the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium.
Posted February 12, 2010
