RTÉ Concert Orchestra
13 May 2016
Passing the Baton at the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as
Principal Conductor John Wilson’s Contract Comes to an End
The search is under way for a new Principal Conductor for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as RTÉ announces that John Wilson will not be seeking a renewal of his post when his three-year contract in this role expires in December 2016. His successor will be announced in due course.
John Wilson’s relationship with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra dates back to 2004 and has resulted in truly remarkable work. First invited to Ireland by the RTÉ CO, Wilson made an immediate impression and went on to make regular guest appearances with the orchestra. He held the role of Principal Guest Conductor from 2009 to 2013, and has been Principal Conductor since January 2014.
Anthony Long, General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, said: “Together John and the RTÉ CO have won plaudits from audiences and critics alike for their inspiring performances across the genres. I’d like to thank him and congratulate him on what he has achieved to date with the orchestra, and we look forward to building on these achievements. I’m delighted that John will be continuing the successful relationship as a guest conductor, with many more concerts and broadcasts under his direction ahead.”
John Wilson said: “I have very much enjoyed my time as Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. It is a wonderful orchestra with great musicians and staff, and I have found the relationship exciting and rewarding. When a relationship such as this one is thriving, it can be hard to know when to leave and I have found it a difficult decision. However, as my current contract draws to a close, I feel that the time is right to focus on other challenges and projects. I hope that I leave the orchestra in extremely fine form and I wish it well in its next chapter. I look forward to maintaining my relationship with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and returning as a guest conductor in the years to come.”
The next Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be taking over the baton for a vibrant, multi-genre entertainment orchestra with a place in the public’s heart that last year saw it voted the World’s Favourite Orchestra (www.bachtrack.com).
Wilson and the RTÉ CO’s upcoming concerts continue their record of performing an eclectic repertoire to the highest standards. Programmes include film music (19 May), opera (28 May) and American music (1 June), all at the National Concert Hall. Concerts to be announced for the latter half of 2016 feature light classical, operetta, musicals and Irish 20th-century music.