{"id":42544,"date":"2017-02-03T14:41:14","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T19:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=42544"},"modified":"2017-02-03T17:04:27","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T22:04:27","slug":"the-scoop-dutch-conductor-otto-tausk-to-succeed-bramwell-tovey-as-vso-music-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2017\/02\/03\/the-scoop-dutch-conductor-otto-tausk-to-succeed-bramwell-tovey-as-vso-music-director\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Dutch Conductor Otto Tausk Named VSO’s Next Music Director"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Otto
Otto Tausk named Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Photo courtesy Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a three-year search for a new music director, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has announced that 46-year-old Dutch conductor Otto Tausk will succeed outgoing VSO Maestro Bramwell Tovey.<\/p>\n

Coinciding with the VSO\u2019s 100th anniversary, Tausk will begin in his new role on July 1, 2018.<\/p>\n

Tausk made his VSO debut in a concert featuring pianist Simon Trpceski in January 2016. In a statement to the Globe & Mail, he said he felt a rare and immediate connection with the Vancouver Symphony musicians. A month after the performance, the VSO asked him to return, leading to discussions for the possible appointment.<\/p>\n

Born in Utrecht, Netherlands, Tausk originally began his career as a concert violinist. But after a conductor canceled a rehearsal at the last-minute for a planned performance, Tausk stepped in. He fell in love with the experience and decided to retire his violin, picking up the baton fulltime.<\/p>\n

He has since gone on to lead the Orchestra and Opera of St. Gallen, Switzerland (2012\u20132017), the Holland Symfonia (2007-2012), and served as assistant conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (2004-2006).<\/p>\n

Bramwell Tovey will leave\u00a0a significant legacy at the VSO, and his shoes will be hard to fill. He has led the nearly 100-year-old orchestra to become the largest arts organization in western Canada, and the third largest symphony in the country. Tovey will end\u00a0his 18-year tenure as the orchestras longest-serving conductor.<\/p>\n

Tovey not be retiring, however, and has plans to guest conduct, perform as a pianist, and compose.<\/p>\n

In an interview with the Vancouver Sun, Tausk\u00a0said he would continue to build on Tovey’s work, but admitted the transition period would take\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get to know each other very well. My main focus, in the beginning, will be to try to make the orchestra feel and play like a really tight, small ensemble, even in big pieces,” he told the Vancouver Sun.<\/p>\n

See here for a video in which Tausk explains his approach to conducting.<\/p>\n