In Sunday’s (3/13) New York Times, Phillip Lutz writes, “Like many orchestras, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra is refashioning itself for the 21st century—a task for which its new music director, chosen after a search that began two years ago, seems particularly well suited. When Carolyn Kuan, 33, takes the orchestra’s reins next season, she will bring substantial credentials in contemporary music to the position; she will also be the first female music director in Hartford’s 68-year history. But it may be her prospective ability to connect with the city’s civic and cultural life that recommended her most for the job. … Since her appointment was announced in January, Ms. Kuan, who was associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, artist in residence at the New York City Ballet and assistant conductor of the Baltimore Opera Company, has begun to meet with public figures in Hartford. … Her travels in Hartford are already reflected in her programming. Inspired by a visit to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, her inaugural concerts as music director-designate, running from this Thursday to Sunday, will include Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ and ‘The Chairman Dances’ by John Adams, whose title refers to a scenario in which Mao Zedong does a foxtrot.”
Posted March 15, 2011
