Overture Magazine 2019-20 BSO_Overture_Mar_Apr_final | Page 29

HOLST THE PLANETS programming, international stature, audience development, touring and a number of outstanding recordings. Oundjian helped establish the TSO as one of the world’s top ensembles and served as a major creative force for the city of Toronto. Oundjian led the orchestra on several international tours, and he conducted the first performance by a North American orchestra at Reykjavik’s Harpa Hall in 2014. Oundjian and the TSO’s recording of Vaughan Williams’ orchestral works won a JUNO Award for Best Classical Album: Large Ensemble in 2019. From 2012–2018, Oundjian served as Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) during which time he implemented the kind of collaborative programming that has become a staple of his directorship. Oundjian led the RSNO on several international tours, including North America, China and a European festival tour. His final appearance with the orchestra as their Music Director was at the 2018 BBC Proms. Highlights of past seasons include appearances with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and the Detroit, Atlanta, Saint Louis, Indianapolis and New Zealand symphony orchestras. In January 2019 he transitioned from Artistic Advisor to Music Director for the Colorado Music Festival, commencing a five-year tenure. Oundjian has been a visiting professor at Yale University’s School of Music since 1981 and in 2013 was awarded the school’s Sanford Medal for Distinguished Service to Music. A dedicated educator, Oundjian conducted the Yale and Juilliard symphony orchestras and the New World Symphony during the 2018 –19 season. An outstanding violinist, Oundjian spent fourteen years as the first violinist for the renowned Tokyo String Quartet before he turned his energy towards conducting. JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL Thursday, April 23, 2020, 8 pm Sunday, April 26, 2020, 3 pm THE MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE Friday, April 24, 2020, 8:15 pm Off The Cuff Saturday, April 25, 2020, 8 pm Peter Oundjian, conductor University of Maryland Concert Choir, Edward Maclary, director Vivian Fung Dust Devils Claude Debussy Nocturnes Nuages Fêtes Sirènes University of Maryland Concert Choir INTERMISSION The works of Fung and Debussy will be performed on the April 23, 25 and 26 programs only. Gustav Holst The Planets Mars, the Bringer of War Venus, the Bringer of Peace Mercury, the Winged Messenger Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age Uranus, the Magician Neptune, the Mystic University of Maryland Concert Choir The intermission will last 20 minutes. The performance will end at approximately 10 pm on Thursday and Saturday, 9 pm on Friday and 5 pm on Sunday. PRESENTING SPONSOR: The appearance of conductor Peter Oundijan is made possible through the major support of the Alvin and Fanny Blaustein Thalheimer Guest Artist Fund. About the Artists Peter Oundjian Recently named Conductor Emeritus of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Peter Oundjian has been hailed as a masterful and dynamic presence in the conducting world. Oundjian has developed a multi- faceted portfolio as a conductor, violinist, professor and artistic advisor. He has been celebrated for his musicality, an eye towards collaboration, innovative programming and an engaging personality. Oundjian’s fourteen-year tenure as Music Director of the TSO has been marked by a reimagining of TSO’s Peter Oundjian last appeared with the BSO in May 2019, conducting works of Brahms, Mozart and Shostakovich. M A R – A P R 2020 / OV E R T U R E 27