oso music director to seattle

In a stunning announcement to a small group of musicians, staff and board members in Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Carlos Kalmar announced that he will be taking the helm of the Seattle Symphony after current music director Gerard Schwarz ends his tenure at the close of the 2010 – 2011 season.

Seattle Symphony player representative Timothy Hale, in a prepared statement, said that the musicians of the Seattle Symphony were “tremendously excited” about the appointment, which was approved by the players in a “nearly unanimous vote”, and noted that they were “ready for the rigorous leadership and positive artistic strides” that had already “been demonstrated in his incredible work” with the Oregon Symphony and Grant Park Festival Orchestra.

Oregon Symphony PR director Carl Herko noted “if there can be a ‘freeway philharmonic’, then certainly there can be an ‘I-5 maestro”.  Taking the helm of two major orchestras separated by less than 200 miles is unprecedented, and it will be a major challenge for both organizations to manage their branding with the same personality on the podium.  As for the juggling of an already complex schedule, “it will be a herculean task” said Oregon Symphony Artistic Administrator Charles Calmer “but with the two orchestras only being a couple of hours apart, it is something that I and my colleague at the Seattle Symphony, along with Carlos’ management, can make happen.

At this point, where Kalmar will make his residence is unknown, but some saavy locals suggest Centralia, Washington as a stop-gap solution, while others, noting his third position, with the Television and Radio Orchestra in Madrid, felt that a New York home base might be the best solution.  “It certainly would make his Carnegie Hall appearance with the Oregon Symphony a much shorter commute” noted Oregon Symphony president Elaine Calder.

When asked about the concert hall situation for each orchestra, Kalmar said “I’ve talked to the boards, and there is a possibility that we could have each orchestra do a half-season residency in their respective cities – it’s an exciting possibility for both of these fine orchestras.”