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After the end of the upcoming 2016-17 Classical Escapes concert season, Preu will leave the Stamford Symphony to become the conductor of the Long Beach Symphony in California. Preu has conducted the Stamford Symphony, the only fully professional orchestra in southwest Connecticut, for 11 years.
Preu led the Stamford Symphony to numerous heights, including its Carnegie Hall premier and multiple introductions of new music, contemporary composers and emerging young soloists. He regularly engaged the audience with pre-concert lectures, and brought the Stamford Symphony to Stamford public schools, building the audience of the future among thousands of students each year. For the second consecutive year, the Stamford Symphony was voted ‘Best of the Gold Coast’ in the performing arts category.
“We thank Eckart for his marvelous music making and we wish him great success at Long Beach. In his many years with us, he opened up musical opportunities every season” said Alan McIntyre, Board Chairman of the Stamford Symphony. “His legacy is the most vibrant classical music organization in Fairfield County, including engaged audience members plus thousands of children who benefit from our music education program.”
“We are excited about the opportunity for Eckart. The Stamford Symphony is among the most respected fully professional regional orchestras in the country, and Eckart has been the most recent in our line of celebrated leaders including Skitch Henderson and Roger Nierenberg” said Barbara Soroca, CEO of the symphony.
Preu will conduct the orchestra’s 2016-17 season, which will be a Classical Escapes musical world tour. Each concert is a journey to a new geography, beginning with music of Russia in October, and subsequent concerts will navigate to Scotland, Vienna, Venice and Scandinavia.
“These musicians are not only musicians of the highest caliber” said Eckart Preu. “They are delightful colleagues and a gift to the community of Stamford and Fairfield County.”
The search for a new music director will begin immediately. The Stamford Symphony attracts outstanding talent, and the very best will be invited to Stamford as guest conductors.
During the 2017-18 season, each of these guest conductors will have the opportunity lead the orchestra as they audition to become the next Music Director. As in the past, the audience and subscribers will be invited to participate and share feedback. The symphony intends to have a new music director named for the start of the 2018-19 season.
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