“When the Oklahoma City Philharmonic kicks off its 2016-17 season next month, the eyes of the classical music world will be watching closely as six guest conductors vie to become the orchestra’s next music director,” writes Rick Rogers in Sunday’s (8/21) Oklahoman (Oklahoma City). Current Music Director Joel Levine, who plans to retire at the end of the 2017-18 season, will conduct this season’s opening and closing concerts. “Each of the guest conductors will lead one of the remaining six classics concerts…. [The] six guest conductors … culled from a staggering 190 applicants,” are Andres Franco, Alexander Mickelthwate, David Lockington, Andreas Delfs, Daniel Hege, and Vladimir Kulenovich. “The six applicants have impressive musical backgrounds that have afforded them opportunities to conduct many of the world’s great orchestras. They also hail from different parts of the world: two from Germany, one from Great Britain, one from Colombia (South America), one from the former Yugoslavia and one American.” Says Eddie Walker, the orchestra’s executive director, “Ultimately, we’re looking for someone who fits our community. The orchestra has a really positive morale and great camaraderie. We want someone who will continue the positive atmosphere that Joel, the board and the staff have worked to maintain.”
Posted August 23, 2016
