Thomas Søndergård to RSNO

[bluestateprommer]

The news is up, with a related YT link. Besides the obvious good news for the RSNO, one wonders what this means for the BBC NOW, although the announcement from TS's agency gives a not-so-subtle hint that's not confirmed from the BBC NOW that I can tell:

"Thomas will remain as Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – with whom he has recently performed at Paris’ new performance venue, La Seine Musicale – until the end of its 2017/18 Season and plans to continue his relationship with the orchestra thereafter."

One wonders how far in advance the BBC NOW knew that this was coming, unless maybe the installment of Xian Zhang as principal guest conductor of the BBC NOW is prologue.

[pastoralguy]

An excellent choice from the RSNO. An excellent musician and a conductor who is very popular with the players. Really looking forward to his music making.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A rather muted response from the orchestra when compared with certain others :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E88LOV74kCo

[BBMmk2]

This sounds like a really positive step forward. Bodes well for the future. Now we wait and see what happens with the BBC NOW.

[Richard Tarleton]

This sounds like a really positive step forward. Bodes well for the future. Now we wait and see what happens with the BBC NOW.

As you say BBM it remains to be seen whether this is a positive step forward for BBC NOW . Personally, having liked what I've seen and heard of him in Swansea and Cardiff, I think it's rather a shame. Rather depends whether you're looking at it from north of Hadrian's Wall or west of Offa's Dyke.

[Alison]

Any comments on Peter Oundjians reign at SNO?

[pastoralguy]

Any comments on Peter Oundjians reign at SNO?

Imvho, I think Deneuve was a hard act to follow and there was always a slight feeling that Oundjian was 'learning the ropes' with the RSNO. He was never less than competent but I sometimes think that his musical ideas didn't transfer to the finished result. I think Søndergård is a step above Oundjian.

[Alison]

Imvho, I think Deneuve was a hard act to follow and there was always a slight feeling that Oundjian was 'learning the ropes' with the RSNO. He was never less than competent but I sometimes think that his musical ideas didn't transfer to the finished result. I think Søndergård is a step above Oundjian.

Thanks, looking in from the outside I got that impression. Would be good to see Sondegard making a few records up there