In Sunday’s (2/19) El Paso Times (Texas), Doug Pullen writes, “Programming concerts is a challenge for all orchestra conductors. They have to consider the cost of the music, when the orchestra last played it, and how the musicians and audience will receive it. It’s especially tricky for a guest conductor—or for someone auditioning to become an orchestra’s music director. It’s important to show a range of abilities, said Peter Rubardt, who’ll conduct the El Paso Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Plaza Theatre. Rubardt is the fifth of six finalists vying to become the orchestra’s seventh conductor and music director. He’s in his 15th year as conductor and music director of Florida’s Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. … His El Paso program includes Antonin Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, called the ‘New World Symphony,’ and Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, with guest soloist Chee-Yun. It also features John Adams’ ‘The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra).’ … The Berkeley, Calif., native won a Fulbright scholarship in 1984 and has a master’s in conducting from Juilliard. His orchestra won the American Prize for Orchestral Performance/Conducting last year.”
Posted February 21, 2012
