The plan to relocate the Memphis Symphony’s headquarters to the University of Memphis, “expected to take place in about two weeks, is part of an ambitious partnership with the U of M that is just one element in a season of change for the 62-year-old orchestra, as it emerges from the budget chaos of the past several years with new organizational purpose and economic momentum,” writes John Beifuss in Thursday’s (9/29) Tennessean. “The public face of the re-energized symphony is new principal conductor Robert Moody.… Moody makes his debut as symphony conductor this weekend with a pair of First Tennessee Masterworks concerts.… The program includes work by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez, who incorporated Latin rhythms into his music, with U of M alumnus Jesse Kasinger as guest violinist.… Moody is under a two-year contract as the symphony’s principal conductor.… Jennifer Bradner, interim president and CEO for the nonprofit symphony, praised Moody’s ‘revolutionary heart.’ … As is typical for conductors these days, Moody comes to Memphis with other responsibilities. He has been music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony in North Carolina since 2005, and music director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Maine since 2008.”
Posted September 30, 2016
