 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
APPOINTS JACQUES LACOMBE AS MUSIC DIRECTOR |
| |
|
| |
Newark, NJ, October 20, 2009 — The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees and President & CEO André Gremillet announced today the appointment of conductor Jacques Lacombe as the Orchestra’s 13th Music Director, effective September 1, 2010, for a three-year term. Maestro Lacombe becomes Music Director Designate effective October 20, 2009. He succeeds Neeme Järvi, who led the Orchestra from 2004 to 2009 in an extremely successful tenure. The announcement concludes an extensive search led by a special Search Committee comprised of NJSO musicians, members of the Board of Trustees, administrative staff and community leaders.
During the 2008–09 season, Lacombe’s performance of Carmina Burana with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra received national accolades. The Star-Ledger raved, “[Jacques Lacombe] is a musician’s conductor, the rapport he achieved in rehearsal coming through on stage; blessed with a rare memory, he worked without a score, maximizing his eye contact with the orchestra and chorus, the intimacy aurally apparent.”
Lacombe has distinguished himself internationally in a highly diverse repertoire of symphonic, operatic and choral works. Lacombe’s first appearance with the Orchestra as Music Director Designate will be on Thursday, |
 |
|
| |
April 22, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark in a program featuring works by Brahms and Dvořák. He will also lead the NJSO in its last “Best of …” concerts of the season, from May 20 to 23, 2010, in four venues throughout the state.
Lacombe will begin his first full season as NJSO Music Director in 2010–11. His responsibilities as Music Director will include the development and supervision of the orchestra and its programs, as well as the selection of visiting artists and ensembles. He will also work in collaboration with Gremillet on the creation and implementation of the Orchestra’s future initiatives and pursuits.
“To say that Jacques Lacombe impressed in his performance of Carmina Burana is an understatement. His command of the ensemble and his stage presence electrified the Orchestra and audience alike,” said Ruth Lipper, Co-Chair of the NJSO Board of Trustees and Chair of the Music Director Search Committee. “We are thrilled to welcome Maestro Lacombe to the NJSO family as Music Director Designate, and we cannot wait for all of our communities to experience his extraordinary artistry and deep commitment to the future of the NJSO.” |
| |
|
| |
 |
“The breadth and depth of Jacques’ artistic expertise and innate musicianship, combined with his ability to engage musicians and patrons alike, epitomizes what a music director should be. With him at the helm, the NJSO will continue to reach new artistic heights and elevate the patron experience.
He is eager to connect with all of the NJSO’s diverse communities and to get involved with our education programs, which are paramount to the Orchestra’s mission. I look forward to the immediate impact his energy and passion will have on the NJSO in all of its programs and goals for the future,” said Gremillet.
Lacombe said: “Less than a year ago, I first stood at the NJSO podium, conducting Carmina Burana. Leading these world-class musicians was such an exhilarating experience for me as a conductor, and meeting NJSO patrons showed me how unique the Orchestra’s community is. This orchestra plays with such passion, and |
|
| |
the chemistry between us has been invigorating. I am proud to have the opportunity to nurture this special energy as the Orchestra’s next Music Director.” |
| |
|
| |
NJSO Principal Cellist Jonathan Spitz, a member of the Music Director Search Committee, said: “From our first rehearsal with Jacques, it was clear that the NJSO was working with a conductor of rare gifts. He conducts with great clarity and authority, and drew from us performances that were insightful, satisfying and exciting.” |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra · 60 Park Place, 9th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102 · Telephone 973.624.3713 · Fax 973.624.2115 |
|
|
|
