Thomas Søndergård photo courtesy of Andy Buchanan
“Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård has been chosen as the 11th music director to lead the Minnesota Orchestra in its 120-year history,” writes Ross Raihala in Thursday’s (7/28) St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN). “Søndergård, 52, will be music director designate in the 2022-23 season before beginning his new role in September 2023. Under the terms of a five-year contract beginning in the 2023-24 season, he will lead the orchestra in at least 12 weeks of concerts and activities a year. Søndergård succeeds Osmo Vänskä, who … will become the orchestra’s conductor laureate in September…. Søndergård … joined the Royal Danish Orchestra as a timpanist in 1992…. In 2005, Søndergård made his debut [leading] the Royal Danish Opera, which launched him into the international spotlight…. In 2018, he became music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra…. Søndergård will hold that post concurrently with his position in Minnesota. ‘My impression of the Minnesota Orchestra is that it is an ensemble with tremendous heart,’ Søndergård said. ‘There is a warmth, an openness and a cooperative spirit among the musicians that fits very well into the way that I like to make music.’ … Søndergård will make his debut as music director designate with three performances Oct. 20-22.”
