“Orchestra conductors are all about timing,” writes Melinda Bargreen in Sunday’s (6/9) Seattle Times. “For Ludovic Morlot, the timing is right for a departure from the Seattle Symphony, where his eight-year music directorship comes to an official close June 13-23 with two programs of music he loves best: works of Debussy, Janácek, Strauss and Wagner…. During his tenure, the orchestra’s community outreach broadened with experimental series, such as ‘Untuxed’ and ‘(untitled),’ and collaborations with such nonclassical artists … Morlot premiered and recorded [John Luther Adams’s] new works ‘Become Ocean’ and ‘Become Desert.’ … More than 30 new players have joined the orchestra … Among Morlot’s post-Seattle plans will be some time working with young musicians, including the National Youth Orchestra of China…. He also will work with students at the Royal Academy in London (where Morlot studied) and the Yale Philharmonia. He’ll remain based in Los Angeles.” Says Morlot, “It’s the right time to leave at this inspiring time for the orchestra. I am very happy for [music director designate] Thomas [Dausgaard] to build from this time on, because the orchestra is in a wonderful place.” Morlot will become the Seattle Symphony’s Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus at the end of the current season. The lifetime title recognizes “Morlot’s past accomplishments and his future relationship with the orchestra.”
Posted June 12, 2019
In photo: Ludovic Morlot conducts the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall in 2016. Photo by Brandon Patoc
