“In naming Ken-David Masur its next music director, the Milwaukee Symphony has selected a conductor with worldwide experience, steeped in Germanic tradition, recognized for his collaborative approach and in love with choral music,” writes Jim Higgins in Monday’s (11/12) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “As music director designate, Masur will plan next season’s music in conjunction with Bret Dorhout, the symphony’s vice president of artistic planning and operations. Masur will begin full time duties as music director with the 2019-20 season…. The symphony plans to open its new concert home, the former Warner Grand Theatre, in September 2020. Masur’s contract runs through the 2022-23 season.… Masur, 41 … succeeds Edo de Waart…. Masur is associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Munich Symphony…. He and his wife, pianist Melinda Lee Masur, are founders and artistic directors of New York’s Chelsea Music Festival, a themed annual event that connects music, visual art and food.” The son of the late conductor Kurt Masur and soprano Tomoko Sakurai graduated from Columbia University and “studied voice with bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff…. His Milwaukee Symphony dreams include commissions for new music and a deep connection with musical education.”
Posted November 13, 2018
