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The London Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to announce
that Vladimir Jurowski has been appointed to the position
of Principal Guest Conductor, alongside the Orchestra's Principal
Conductor, Kurt Masur.
This new position will complement Jurowski's work as Music
Director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera, allowing the Orchestra
to develop a year-round relationship with the dynamic young
Russian conductor.
Vladimir Jurowski's affinity with the Orchestra and his responsive,
intuitive approach to music have already been demonstrated
in two concerts with the LPO at the Royal Festival Hall and
in performances of Britten's Albert Herring at Glyndebourne
last year. Geoff Brown, in The Times on 13 August 2002, wrote
of the auspicious debut of this new operatic partnership:
'This first night brimmed with anticipation. In the pit for
the first time as Glyndebourne's Music Director was Vladimir
Jurowski. He had a fabulous baptism, helped by the London
Philharmonic's witty way with the string glissandi, hiccups,
parody Handel and every other delight in Britten's ingenious
score.'
Comments Serge Dorny, the Orchestra's Chief Executive &
Artistic Director, "we are extremely privileged that
Vladimir Jurowski has agreed to take up this appointment with
the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This young conductor has
already displayed a huge talent both in the opera pit and
on the concert platform and has a great understanding of the
Orchestra, its spirit and aspirations. He is also blessed
with a tremendous sense of curiosity that leads him to explore
and bring to life new and unfamiliar repertoire. At the same
time, his readings of the standard repertoire are refreshingly
original whilst still remaining faithful to the composers'
intentions. The Orchestra looks forward to a rich and rewarding
relationship with its new Principal Guest Conductor."
Already an experienced operatic conductor before reaching
Glyndebourne, Vladimir Jurowski made his international debut
to great acclaim with Rimsky-Korsakov's May Night at the Wexford
Festival in 1995. Though this established Jurowski firmly
on the operatic map, it was his five years at Berlin's Komische
Oper where he gained his main operatic experience. In 1996,
he replaced Sir Edward Downes as conductor of Verdi’s
Nabucco at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and returned
to Covent Garden to conduct Rimsky-Korsakov's The Golden Cockerel.
The plaudits continued, notably for performances with Welsh
National Opera and for his quicksilver account of Stravinsky’s
The Rake's Progress for English National Opera.
Gradually, Jurowski's career expanded from the opera house
and onto the international concert platform. For the LPO,
he replaced, at short notice, the indisposed Yuri Temirkanov
in December 2001 and, in March 2002, conducted Prokofiev's
Lieutenant Kijé and Stravinsky’s The Firebird.
Andrew Clark, of the Financial Times, commented, 'the 29 year-old
Jurowski is more than a cut above the rest. His clarity, subtlety,
intelligence and well-preparedness - added to uncommon maturity
- turned the Prokofiev into a balletic tour de force, while
the Stravinsky showcased his ability to get an orchestra to
play to the peak of its ability.'
'From the very start', says Serge Dorny, 'LPO musicians recognised
that they were in the presence of an exciting new talent.
They were impressed by his knowledge and authority and appreciated
that, whilst always having a clear idea of what he wanted,
he was prepared to listen to them with respect and give credit
when due.'
The members of the small ensemble which worked with Jurowski
on the Britten opera (which he affectionately renamed the
'Loxford Philharmonic', after the market town in which Albert
Herring is set) were full of praise. Principal Flute, Celia
Chambers, recalls his thorough preparation and remarkable
insight into Britten’s music and the subtleties of English
country life, adding, 'He is one of those few conductors who
can bring something new to a piece, and can raise the intensity
and emotional charge of the music so that it peaks at every
performance.'
Percussion player, Andrew Barclay, particularly enjoyed the
rehearsal period: 'He is clearly a world class conductor,
exuding music and professionalism but, at the same time, we
felt he had become one of us and we were very much aware of
working together as a team. In fact, he made it fun - something
music should be but rarely is.'
For co-leader, Pieter Schoeman, it was a pleasure working
with a conductor who was so reliable and so clear. Jurowski's
years of experience at the Komische Oper, when, on occasion,
he was called upon to work with last minute replacement singers,
have clearly paid dividends. 'When a singer came in early
on one occasion in Albert Herring', recalls Pieter, 'he saved
the situation with no fuss and great aplomb. It is very comforting
to know how well he can cope with the unexpected.'
Jurowski is committed to bringing the excitement and thrill
of live music to his audiences and to persuading them that
sitting at home listening to CDs is nothing like the real
thing. The London Philharmonic Orchestra shares these aspirations
and is looking forward to a stimulating relationship with
its new Principal Guest Conductor.
Vladimir Jurowski's next concert at the Royal Festival Hall
with the LPO is 12 June 2003. He will conduct Julian Anderson's
Khorovod, Beethoven's Piano Concerto 2 (with pianist Maria
Joao Pires) and Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky (with mezzo soprano,
Marianna Tarasova).
For a leaflet with full details of the London Philharmonic
Orchestra’s 2003/04 season, telephone 020 7840 4242.
Further press information/pictures/interview
requests etc: Terri Robson Associates/Contact: Terri
Robson or Sophie Beck Tel +44 (0)20 7787 0602/Fax +44 (0)20
7787 0603
Email TerriRobso@aol.com
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