“The Dallas Symphony Orchestra and music director Jaap van Zweden have signed a new contract to keep the conductor here through the 2018-19 season,” writes Scott Cantrell in Sunday’s (11/24) Dallas Morning News. “Coming to conducting after a successful career as a violinist, van Zweden was almost unknown in the U.S. when he became the DSO’s music director in 2008. Since then, the Dutch conductor has presided over dramatic improvements in the orchestra, and he reliably produces gripping performances. He led the DSO on a triumphant European tour this past March, and the DSO’s own CD label has released five recordings under his baton. The orchestra has also initiated a new concert series in the Dallas City Performance Hall and a number of suburban venues. Van Zweden conducted the world premiere of composer Steven Stucky’s DSO-commissioned August 4, 1964 … and led the world premiere this past week of Conrad Tao’s The World Is Very Different Now, marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The contract extension is welcome news, given concerns that van Zweden’s growing success as a guest conductor with other major orchestras might jeopardize his commitment in Dallas.”
Posted November 25, 2013
