The Symphony can deactivate this mailbox: MaestroSearch@SeattleSymphony.org. They've named 36-year-old Ludovic Morlot to succeed Gerard Schwarz, who's been music director for the past 25 years.
Morlot, all of 36 years old. Morlot was in Seattle two months ago as a last-minute replacement for another guest conductor, Roberto Abbado, to rave reviews from critics and orchestra members alike. Born in Lyon and trained as a violinist, Morlot studied conducting in London. A frequent guest conductor in Europe and the US, he has been the resident music director of the esteemed Orchestre Natonal de Lyon and has served as an assistant conductor under James Levine at the Boston Symphony for several seasons.
Melinda Bargreen, writing in the Seattle Times of the most recent Seattle concert, called Morlot "buoyant, fast-moving and smiling," noting that he used a score but no baton. "Morlot's quick, snappy gestures and mercurial intensity seemed to energize the orchestra."
Morlot himself has a snappy website, www.ludovicmorlot.com, on which he quotes an SSO press release:
The international search is ongoing, and guest conductors both this season and next are under consideration. While the candidates for the position will remain confidential, the caliber and quality of guest conductors is sure to draw considerable attention to Seattle Symphony and its upcoming programs. Patrons are invited to share their comments and suggestions regarding the search by writing to maestrosearch@seattlesymphony.org.
Morlot assumes the title of "music director designate" this fall, at the beginning of the 2010-11 concert season, and will take on the mantle of music director a year later, when Schwartz moves up to "Conductor Laureate." Morlot will be signed to a six-year contract, his compensation was not announced. He will move from Lyon to Seattle with his wife and two daughters.
Leave a comment