Oregon Symphony music director Carlos Kalmar has been appointed music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de RTVE (Spanish Radio/Television Orchestra), effective September 2011. The initial contract is for a five year period. He succeeds British conductor Adrian Leaper, the orchestra’s music director since 2001. It’s not clear what effect this will have on Kalmar’s duties here in Portland, in terms of how many weeks he will conduct with the OSO.
Interestingly enough, it will be possible to view quite a bit of Carlo’s work with the orchestra, as many of its concerts are televised, and archived for streaming on the web via their website.
[link] – rtve.es
15 replies on “oso music director adds new post”
I hope I’m wrong, but this does not bode well for Carlos continuing in Portland. When does his contract expire here in Portland? I’ve forgotten.
Carlos told me about this in confidence a couple of weeks ago and assured me his commitment to Oregon is unwavering. His current contract runs through June 2013.
I’m relieved to hear that. Thanks, Elaine.
ferocious careerist scrambling aside, it’s often too bad that soooo many musicians find themselves in such a swirl of ceaseless activity and jet-setting that the ultimate focus of their art, health and peace of mind suffers.
i hope Kalmar is one of the few super-menschen out there that can sustain his frenetic clip of activities without the quality of his work being impacted.
Trans-Atlantic flights=score studying
Conducting in Espana=much tapas-consumption
Conducting in Portland=priceless
Have already been in touch with RTVE personnel…looking forward to Big Hair Daddy comin’ into town!
Just the thought of leading two orchestras that are so far apart makes me tired. Of course, it is not unusual for a conductor to have multiple posts, but sometimes it doesn’t work out so well (see Gerard Schwartz’s controversal tenure in Liverpoool). I don’t know what condition the Spanish orchestra is in, but this orchestra is in fine shape so that might make it a touch easier. The life of a conductor sure is a strange one, what with all the traveling. It also seems to be such a solitary existence in which you don’t seem to really have much of a home life. Then again, I’m sure it is not a dull job. I guess you would need to have certain kind of personality to do it.
I’ll weigh in with something that someone brought up to me via email: what does this say about the financial stability of the Oregon Symphony? Obviously, a conductor needs to have another egg in another basket in case one of the baskets springs a leak or fails. Not saying that’s the case here, but if our situation were rosier in Portland, would he need to take this job? Of course, by the end of his current contract he’ll have been music director in Portland for 10 years, which is about average for US music directors. Just food for thought.
“big hair daddy”?
hahaha, i’m lovin’ it.
hair today, gone to espana tomorrow . . .
Oh Charles. Reason not the need.
Elaine – yes, that’s what Heather often says, too.
Charles, I’m of course thrilled about this new opportunity in Spain. As you know for sure, I’m equally thrilled to continue as the Music Director of the Oregon Symphony. This orchestra and our community are a central part of my life.
My new job has absolutely nothing to do with any kind of financial thoughts. I never think that way. This is a purely artistic decision, I think it’s even a good thing for us all, becasue being the MD of an European Orchestra will broaden my horizon again, regardless of the fact that I’ve been Music Director in Europe already.
Whether we are in a financial good situation or otherwise has no meaning for me. What has real meaning is:
A great orchestra who is growing with me,
a wonderful community who enjoys the artform we present
and a very positive partnership with the President of the ORS (that’s Elaine!!). I have all of that! Money could not buy me that….
Carlos,
Thanks so much for the reply! I hesitated to write my comment above, but it was what was on some patrons’ minds, so I thought it was fair to put out there as a concern. We’re of course glad to share you with our Spanish colleagues – maybe we could do an exchange residency someday?
the fact that y’all communicate so openly here speaks bundles of good . . .
gracias a la vida!
Bravo, Carlos, Elaine and the Oregon Symphony! This is very exciting.
I can see everyone’s stock rising. There will be so many ways that cross-pollination between these two wonderful groups of players will occur and stimulate the organizations, and our city.
If anyone can do this, and do it well, Carlos can.
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