“Noah Bendix-Balgley, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster since 2011, has decided to leave the orchestra,” writes Mark Kanny in Friday’s (9/11) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “In 2014, he became first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic and split last season between the two orchestras. ‘It was a very difficult decision,’ he said.… ‘I really love the Pittsburgh Symphony and loved the time there, musically, and also personally with my colleagues, many of whom became close friends. But this splitting time between the two orchestras, although challenging and exciting, was not really sustainable in the long run.’ Guest concertmasters are being lined up for the Pittsburgh Symphony’s 2015-16 season, according to Louise Sciannameo, vice president of communications and public affairs.… The violinist will be back in Pittsburgh for a Chamber Music Pittsburgh recital with pianist Orion Weiss on Nov. 30 and will perform as concertmaster for Pittsburgh Symphony concerts Dec. 4 and 6. He’ll return in May 2016 for two weeks of concerts at Heinz Hall before he goes with the orchestra on its European tour. He’ll also play the world premiere of his own Klezmer Concerto with Manfred Honeck and the orchestra, at the season’s final concerts, June 17 to 19.”
Posted September 14, 2015
