It was announced Wednesday morning that the New York Philharmonic named Jaap van Zweden as its next music director. The appointment marks an end to Alan Gilbert's tenure, which started in 2009, and grants van Zweden the title post as he helps guide Lincoln Center through a costly season of renovations.
Mr, van Zweden, 55, is a stoic Dutch conductor that will hopefully be the guiding light to Lincoln Center's much-anticipated return. He is currently the music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
It has long been speculated as to who will take over Gilbert's post with van Zweden as the leading contender.
Van Sveden's upcoming responsibilities will go beyond music-making and include the task of being the orchestra's public face in light of a $360 million makeover of David Geffen Hall. He will also be the leading artistic voice as the hall receives its renovations.
Other points of duty include making sure the orchestra does not falter on yielding an audience in spite of the renovations--which will leave the company out in the cold for the next two seasons at least.
"It's a challenging time, but it is also a time where I would say that there are an incredible amount of possibilities," Mr. van Zweden said in an interview.
His programs for the future may not include contemporary composers as Gilbert's concerts usually leaned towards. That is, Mr. van Zweden may make a paradigmatic shift in content regarding the Philharmonic's seasonal performances.
The new appointment should will take hold in the 2017-18 season and will begin a 5-year contract as its music director in the 2018-19 season and which will also be the last season for the Philharmonic in Geffen Hall, when construction begins.
Congratulations to Mr. Jaap van Zweden on a most trilling appointment to the New York Phil.
Preview what's in store for the orchestra in the future below.
