MUSIC DIRECTOR

Leonard Slatkin, called "America's Music Director" by the Los Angeles Times, is coming to Detroit. Slatkin's appointment was announced at a press conference Oct. 8, in Detroit's historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. He launches his tenure as the DSO's 12th Music Director commencing with the 2008-09 season. His next scheduled appearance will be leading the Orchestra in subscription concerts April 3-6, 2008. "We are thrilled and gratified to welcome Leonard Slatkin to Detroit as our next Music Director," said Anne Parsons, DSO President and Executive Director. "Leonard has an international reputation as one of the extraordinary conductors of our time. He combines incredible musicianship with enormous passion for his role as a visionary orchestra leader." Jim Nicholson, DSO Board Chairman and CEO of PVS Chemicals said, "It is fantastic news that Leonard Slatkin will be coming to Michigan. His stature as a leader of orchestras is unparalleled, and we are proud he has chosen our orchestra and our community. The DSO is a cultural treasure, and he will play an historic role in its future." The musician members of the Music Director Search Committee, Geoffrey Applegate (Principal Second Violin), Doug Cornelson (clarinet) and Karl Pituch (Principal Horn) said, "We could not be more pleased that the world-renowned conductor Leonard Slatkin is our new DSO Music Director. The orchestra's response was overwhelmingly positive during his two weeks with us this year and we understand the feelings were mutual. There really could not be a better way to begin this association, and we look forward to many more years of great music making together." Also serving on the six-person search committee was Peter D. Cummings, DSO Chairman Emeritus and Vice Chairman, Board Executive Committee member Dr. Clyde Wu and Anne Parsons.

"Last May, I conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 20 years,” said Leonard Slatkin, "and it was clear from the first downbeat that this was an extraordinary ensemble. We've reached agreement in a very short time and I am happy and honored to take the helm of this great orchestra. I believe we can develop a vision for excellence, education, new and American music, recordings and touring that will bring new attention to the quality and tradition of the Detroit Symphony, locally, nationally and abroad. I look forward to a most exciting and rewarding tenure."

Although Slatkin will officially assume his role with the DSO in the fall of 2008, he is actively participating in artistic and strategic planning beginning immediately. "We are already making significant plans for future seasons," he said. "Next season I will lead five subscription weeks, and the year following, one-half of the orchestras' concerts, as we develop our sound and image together. We will also continue the tremendous educational activities already in place and institute new initiatives as well."

Maestro Slatkin is one of America's greatest conductors, with an equally brilliant international reputation, making him a household name among music lovers around the world. During his distinguished career he has led all of the world's finest orchestras and opera companies, developing deep relationships with many of them. In the United States, he regularly conducts the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Philadelphia Orchestra. In Europe, his engagements include the l'Orchestre Philharmonique in Paris, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. In December 2008 he returns to the NHK Symphony in Tokyo for performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Slatkin has made more than 100 recordings with various ensembles around the world. These have garnered over 50 Grammy nominations, of which Slatkin received the award five times. The most recent of these was in 2006 for Michigan-based composer William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and Experience. The recording, made at the University of Michigan, took in four of the top prizes. Slatkin is also the recipient of many honors recognizing his dedicated advocacy on behalf of music and music education. He is the founder and director of the National Conducting Institute, an advanced career development program for rising conductors.

This season Maestro Slatkin completes his 12-year tenure as Music Director of the National Symphony in Washington D.C. He is Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and also recently accepted the position of Music Advisor to the Nashville Symphony through the 2008-09 season. In the fall of 2008, he begins his appointment as Principal Guest Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Last month he concluded a successful three-year appointment as Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Slatkin is also beloved for his historic leadership of the Saint Louis Symphony from 1979 until 1996, where he is now Conductor Laureate.

Working in collaboration with Slatkin, Peter Oundjian will continue as the DSO's Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor through the 2007-08 season, including leading the acclaimed 8 Days in June festival. Beginning in 2008-09, he will return regularly in the position of Principal Guest Conductor. Thomas Wilkins will continue in his role as DSO Resident Conductor. Neeme Järvi, the DSO's celebrated Music Director for 15 years, stepped into the role of Music Director Emeritus in the 2005-06 season.