An exciting new age beckons for the Oslo Philharmonic with the appointment of Vasily Petrenko as its Chief Conductor Designate. The 34-year-old Russian musician, who officially succeeds Jukka-Pekka Saraste in August 2013, is determined to build on the orchestra's rich artistic legacy, extend its audience reach and raise its international profile. Petrenko's partnership with the Oslo Philharmonic's players began with his acclaimed debut concert in 2009 and is set to develop when they tour together later this year.
"I was thrilled to be asked to be the Oslo Philharmonic's Chief Conductor," observes Vasily Petrenko. "It is too early, of course, to speak in detail about our future programmes together. But we will certainly be thinking about 2013 and the big anniversaries of Wagner, Verdi and Britten and the centenary of Diaghilev's great Ballets Russes season in Paris, which gave the world Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps and Debussy's Jeux."
"I'm looking forward to programming everything from Johann Sebastian Bach to contemporary music and the work of Scandinavian composers, Grieg, Nielsen and Sibelius among them. I love Scandinavian music and think it will be a natural process to explore it together with the Oslo Philharmonic."
During his St Petersburg student years, Vasily Petrenko received guidance from the Oslo Philharmonic's longest serving Chief Conductor, Mariss Jansons. "It will be a privilege for me to follow in his great footsteps with the Oslo Philharmonic. Their association is part of the orchestra's modern history. I hope we will be able to make our own history together."
The Oslo Philharmonic was founded in 1919 and can trace its ancestry back to the Christiania Musikerforening (Christiania Musical Association), founded by Edvard Grieg and Johan Svendsen in the 1870s. The Norwegian orchestra, based at Oslo Concert Hall since 1977, achieved international acclaim during Mariss Janson's tenure as Chief Conductor (1979-2002) and has retained its place among the world's leading ensembles under Jukka-Pekka Saraste (2006 to present). The Oslo Philharmonic's roster of distinguished Chief Conductors also includes Issay Dobrowen (1927-31), Herbert Blomstedt (1962-68) and André Previn (2002-06).
Vasily Petrenko's sense of historical perspective is matched by his acute understanding of the present need to increase and widen the audience for symphonic music. He draws here on invaluable lessons learned and applied as Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. His extended Liverpool contract currently runs until 2015 during which time will he will continue to lead the orchestra in concerts, tours and recordings. "The connection with an audience is a very important part of my work in Liverpool, Oslo and wherever else I conduct," he comments. "I believe this relationship is central to the conductor's role in developing the modern orchestra. Working with and developing a young audience has been my guide in Liverpool. We now attract young people to our concerts there and I consider this to be another central concern of my mission as a conductor."
Odd Gullberg, Chief Executive Officer of the Oslo Philharmonic, welcomes Vasily Petrenko's appointment and notes that the orchestra is excited about the future under his artistic leadership. "We compiled a long list of those who might become the orchestra's next Chief Conductor," he recalls. "When we matched these to the criteria we wished to see in that person, Vasily Petrenko emerged as our clear first choice. We wanted somebody ready to shape a long-term vision for the orchestra, an outstanding conductor able to communicate freely with people on and off stage. We've seen what Vasily has achieved with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and recognise his combination of assets: he's a great musician and tremendous communicator. He motivates musicians and inspires audiences. We approached Vasily's agents, IMG Artists (London), and were delighted when he accepted our offer."
The combination of Vasily Petrenko and the Oslo Philharmonic, explains Gullberg, has the makings of a strong international brand, one boldly hallmarked by qualities of excellence, dynamism and audience appeal. "This is about looking to the orchestra's future at a time when Norway is investing the arts and culture. Our future plans will embrace everything from the concerts we give at home and abroad to recordings, the use of new media and the way we communicate with Scandinavian and international society. It is a major project, which will fully involve our new Chief Conductor and give something back to the society that so generously supports us."
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