<<  -- 5 --  Kelly Ferjutz    WHAT MAKES A CONDUCTOR?

Roger Norrington founded the London Classical Players in 1978, to explore historical performance practice. In addition, he's worked closely with the Orchestra of the 18th Century and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment which has, since January 1997, taken over the work of the London Classical Players. He also has an interest in opera and vocal music, in addition to being closely associated with the London Philharmonic. He was knighted in June 1997.

André Previn has a terrific sense of humor, easily discovered at his web-site: www.andre-previn.com He is married to violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, with whom he shares concerts and recordings. Always active as a composer, his opera Streetcar Named Desire premièred at San Francisco Opera in 1998. During 2005-6 Mr Previn will lead the Oslo Philharmonic -- as Music Director, Conductor and Soloist -- on a tour of the United States. He is also renowned as a jazz pianist.

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski is also a noted composer, in addition to his conducting. (His Concerto for Orchestra was shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize in 1999.) Mr Skrowaczewski is currently the Conductor Laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra, which he served as Music Director for nineteen years, as well as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Saarlændischer Rundfunk Orchestra. From 1984-91, he was Principal Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra.

Leonard Slatkin is now Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC, Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

Edo de Waart is currently Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. For ten years he was chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and is also Conductor Laureate of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

I totally enjoyed this book; so much so that not only did I buy a copy for my own library, but I've since read it three times!