“The Portland Symphony Orchestra [in Maine] has chosen Eckart Preu, a German-born conductor now living in Spokane, Washington, as its next music director,” writes Bob Keyes in Thursday’s (8/2) Portland Press Herald (Maine). “He will begin a three-year term with the 2019-20 season, succeeding Robert Moody…. Preu … will serve as music director designate for the upcoming 2018-19 season…. Preu is the outgoing music director of the Spokane Symphony, a position he held for 15 years, as well as music director of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra in California and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He’s also been music director of the Stamford Symphony in Connecticut…. Preu said he felt a connection with the orchestra … ‘right away. When that happens, you are happy because … you can achieve things together in very nice and very rewarding ways.’ … He sees it as his task to fill his concerts with music than spans 400 years, from the Baroque period to the present…. He … enjoys working with composers…. Ultimately, he [says], ‘You want audiences to be entertained, pleased, touched, moved and excited.’ ”
Posted August 3, 2018
In photo: Eckart Preu has been appointed the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s music director. Photo courtesy of Portland Symphony Orchestra
