The Louisville Orchestra meets the new boss . . .

. . . who, as The Who song says, is the same as the old boss. Well, four bosses ago.

Here's what's up: The Louisville Orchestra somewhat concluded its search for a new music director  Monday by appointing Jorge Mester to the post. If that name sounds familiar to local longhairs, that's because Mester was the orchestra's director from 1967 to 1979. So the Orchestra's second music director is now its seventh.

But that does not mean the search is over. They're still looking for a new music director in L'ville.

That process started in 2004, when Uriel Segal left after the orchestra declined to renew his contract, saying it needed a conductor more involved in the Louisville community. Since then, the search has been on for a new music director, culminating with performances led by seven finalists for the job this past season. That apparently made today's announcement, "startling," according to Courier-Journal classical music writer Andrew Adler in a story posted on the paper's website tonight.

According to the Orchestra's press release, while the orchestra needs more time searching for Segal's replacement, the search committee felt a new artistic leader was needed now -- it has been two seasons. A dialog between Mester and the orchestra about the possibility of him conducting a benefit concert grew into a conversation about him taking the post on an open-ended contract. Mester is also music director of the Pasadena Symphony in California and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida. While with the orchestra, the press release says he will also serve as an ex-officio member of the search committee.

"So, he's an interim?" some may ask. That seems open to interpretation, but the orchestra says Mester will have full charge of the ensemble while the search goes on. And he is considered the orchestra's seventh music director, as well as its second.

Comments

[John Little]

Mr. Copely, regarding the above article:

The selection of Jorge Mester to direct the Louisville Orchestra for at least two years was a brilliant move on the part of the orchestra's board of directors.

Maestro Mester is an energizing conductor who attends to both the broad and finite aspects of a composition. His previous stint with the orchestra is remembered for his unselfish contribution to Louisville's cultural life.

Mr. Mester used his talent as a violist to engage members of the orchestra in chamber music programs--an endeavor in which many conductors hardly indulge. His resume includes director of conducting at Julliard, and director of the Aspen Festival. His First Edition recordings with the Louisville Orchestra demonstrate a singular ability to promote contemporary music dressed at its best.

The hope here is that Maestro Mester will stay closely connected to the Louisville Orchestra for a long time.

Cordially,

John Little