Jaap van Zweden, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra music director, is heading to the New York Philharmonic.
Van Zweden told KERA’s Jerome Weeks this morning that the offer to run the New York Philharmonic wasn’t something he angled for.
“I’m not the type of guy who, when I kiss my wife, I look if there is something better around,” van Zweden said. “So it’s not that I started something in Dallas and I was hoping for this. But I can tell you – that it is a fantastic opportunity for me.”
Van Zweden will remain with the DSO through the 2017-18 season. He’ll then start a five-year contract in New York.
The New York Philharmonic says in a news release:
New York Philharmonic Chairman Oscar S. Schafer and President Matthew VanBesien today announced that conductor Jaap van Zweden will become the Orchestra’s next Music Director, beginning in 2018–19, the Orchestra’s 177th season. Mr. van Zweden will serve as Music Director Designate in the 2017–18 season. As the New York Philharmonic’s 26th Music Director, Mr. van Zweden — who has been Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2008 and Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra since 2012 — will succeed Alan Gilbert, whose tenure began in 2009 and culminates in the 2016–17 season. Mr. van Zweden will become Music Director Designate in the 2017–18 season, when he will conduct several weeks of concerts. In the 2018–19 season he begins his tenure as Music Director, conducting the New York Philharmonic for 12 weeks each year, leading the Orchestra on national and international tours and residencies, and guiding the Philharmonic through the planned renovation of David Geffen Hall.
The DSO says in its own news release:
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra congratulates Jaap van Zweden on the announcement of his appointment as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic beginning in the 2018-19 season. DSO is proud to have been an integral part of Maestro van Zweden’s exciting musical journey. We look forward to continuing our artistic path together through the 2017-18 season, which will be his final season as DSO Music Director. This morning, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that following his tenure as our Music Director, he will hold the title of Conductor Laureate of the DSO starting with the 2018-19 season and going through 2020-21, ensuring a robust conducting presence with us.
For more coverage, check out KERA’s Art&Seek.
Learn more
Learn more about van Zwedenin this 2008 profile.
