In Thursday’s (1/13) New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin writes, “In one building at Lincoln Center the music director of the New York Philharmonic plies his trade and is by definition at the pinnacle of the conducting profession. Just across 65th Street, eager young conducting students at the Juilliard School toil and dream of big careers on the podium. Now they will be working together. Juilliard said on Wednesday that it had appointed Alan Gilbert, who is in his second season as the Philharmonic’s music director, to the post of director of conducting and orchestral studies. It is the first time, Julliard officials say, that the same person will have both jobs. (Members of the orchestra have long taught there.) Mr. Gilbert, starting in September, will take charge of teaching the conservatory’s handful of conducting students and oversee its orchestras, guiding decisions on guest conductors, repertory and concerts. James DePriest, 74, the current director, will step aside but continue to work at Juilliard as principal conductor and director emeritus, the conservatory said. … For students in the two-year conducting program Mr. Gilbert’s presence will be a boon. He said he would require them to attend Philharmonic rehearsals, have them meet orchestra members and possibly assign them internships in Philharmonic departments at Avery Fisher Hall.”
Posted January 13, 2011
