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Date: | Thu, 14 Oct 1999 19:00:00 -0700 |
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BBC News Report:
American accent at the Proms
Slatkin takes on Britain's most visible conducting job
American Leonard Slatkin is to be handed one of the most famous
batons in Britain when he takes over as chief conductor of the
BBC Symphony Orchestra.
He will succeed Sir Andrew Davis in the post with effect from
October 2000.
The first American to hold the prestigious post, he will appear
regularly with the orchestra at the BBC Proms each summer, and
preside over the jingoistic Last Night of the Proms.
The 55-year-old is currently Music Director of the National
Symphony Orchestra in Washington, Conductor Laureate of the St
Louis Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor with London's
Philharmonia.
Slatkin has appeared regularly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra,
taking them to Glasgow earlier this year for the first time in
32 years to appear in the BBC's Music Live festival.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra is acknowledged as one of the world's
most adventurous orchestras.
It has long been associated with the performance of new and
neglected British repertoire and is a major commissioner of new
works.
His first season will coincide with the BBC Symphony Orchestra's
move to promote its London seasons at the Barbican Centre.
His first appearance as chief conductor will be on 22 October
2000, when the Orchestra will celebrate its 70th birthday.
Slatkin is no stranger to the network, having presented Radio
3's recent successful 10-part series Discovering Music with
Leonard Slatkin.
An accomplished broadcaster, Slatkin will be much involved in
the presentation of concerts on the network, and as a regular
contributor to BBC radio and television.
"The BBC Symphony Orchestra is at the forefront of ensembles
dedicated to bringing the highest quality of music making to
the broadest possible audience," said Slatkin.
"I look forward to building new directions, as well as continuing
the traditions of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and its distinguished
line of conductors."
Dr John Evans, Head of BBC Classical Music, added: "I am delighted
that we have attracted a conductor of Leonard Slatkin's
international standing to the BBC's flagship orchestra.
"The extraordinary range of Leonard's repertoire, his passionate
commitment to new and innovative programming and his instinctive
flair for communicating with audiences make him an ideal figure
for an orchestra committed to the public service ethos through
broadcasting."
Tony Duggan, England.
My (developing) Mahler recordings survey is at:
http://www.musicweb.force9.co.uk/music/Mahler/index.html
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