When you have a winning formula, why tamper with it? The Royal Northern Sinfonia, the first permanent chamber orchestra in Britain when they were establshed in 1958, have won awards and general esteem under the music directorship of violinist-conductor Thomas Zehetmair. So when the time came to replace him, the band turned to another famous instrumentalist who has successfully ventured onto the podium -- so, announced today, pianist Lars Vogt is the Music Director Designate!
The German musician will appear with the orchestra on September 20 (and before that a chamber music concert in June) and then will take up his directorship for the 2015/16 season. He is no stranger to the orchestra and has expressed delight at the new job. Zehtmair, meanwhile, will ascend to the Conductor Laureate position -- he is also Principal Conductor for the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris.
The Royal Northern Sinfonia is based in Gateshead. It's home is the hugely impressive Sage arts complex, which celebrates its first decade in 2014.
