“The Tucson Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday named Venezuelan-born Spanish conductor José Luis Gomez to succeed George Hanson as music director,” writes Cathalena E. Burch in Wednesday’s (2/17) Arizona Daily Star. The announcement comes “days before Gomez is to take the podium for his third TSO performance since October 2014.” As guest conductor Gomez “connected with the orchestra in a way that stood out from the other candidates, said Mark Blakeman, CEO and president of TSO.” Gomez will serve as music director designate for 2016-17 and begin as music director in 2017-18. In an interview, Gomez “said one of his goals will be to incorporate more Latin in the orchestra’s repertoire, including works from Venezuelan composers. He also would like to delve into recordings, a proposal that strikes a chord with Blakeman.” Gomez, 37, “has residences in Spain and Italy and said he also will maintain a residence in Tucson. TSO officials said he will be in Tucson at least 14 concert weeks per season and will conduct at least five Classics, one Pops and three MasterWorks concerts.… Gomez has been an in-demand guest conductor … following his 2010 first-place award at the prestigious International Conductors’ Competition Sir Georg Solti in Germany.”
Posted February 18, 2016
