Cristian Măcelaru Elevated to Associate Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra

Contract Extension and New Title Recognizes Excellence in Conducting and Artistic Leadership

(Philadelphia, November 14, 2012)—The Philadelphia Orchestra today announced that it has renewed the contract of Cristian Măcelaru and elevated his title to associate conductor in recognition of the tremendous artistic contributions he has made to the Orchestra. This replaces his former assistant conductor designation. As associate conductor, Măcelaru will continue to conduct special non-subscription performances, and cover concerts for new Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin as well as many of the Orchestra’s guest conductors. Additionally, he will now conduct his own subscription week; further date and program details will be forthcoming in the 2013-14 season announcement.

This announcement comes on the heels of a rousing start to The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2012-13 subscription season this October, which included a successful Opening Night celebration and two highly-acclaimed week-long subscription series, marking Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s inaugural performances as the Orchestra’s new music director. Earlier in the month, Măcelaru led two exciting pre-season programs—a concert for college students and a preview of this season’s subscription performances for non-subscribers. Nézet-Séguin says of the appointment, “Cristian has made such a special connection with our musicians, and our audiences. He is an invaluable colleague, a brilliant programmer, and is so instrumental in drawing out this world-renowned Philadelphia Sound. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this endorsement, and I am very much looking forward to collaborating with him even more in the years ahead.”

Being so closely connected with an orchestra of this caliber is a dream come true,” comments Măcelaru. “Yannick and all of our musicians have provided a level of support that goes far beyond my work on the podium, and for that I am deeply grateful. This ensemble, and Philadelphia, quickly became a place that my family and I could proudly call home, so I look forward to continuing this collaborative relationship, and developing even stronger connections in this wonderful Philadelphia community.”

More information on Cristian Măcelaru can be found here. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, visit www.philorch.org.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Renowned for its distinctive sound, beloved for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of “firsts” in music-making, The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has cultivated an extraordinary history of artistic leaders in its 112 seasons, including music directors Fritz Scheel, Carl Pohlig, Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and Christoph Eschenbach, and Charles Dutoit, who served as chief conductor from 2008 to 2012. With the 2012-13 season, Yannick Nézet-Séguin becomes the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Named music director designate in 2010, Nézet-Séguin brings a vision that extends beyond symphonic music into the vivid world of opera and choral music.

Philadelphia is home and the Orchestra nurtures an important relationship not only with patrons who support the main season at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts but also those who enjoy the Orchestra’s other area performances at the Mann Center, Penn’s Landing, and other venues. The Philadelphia Orchestra Association also continues to own the Academy of Music—a National Historic Landmark—as it has since 1957.

Through concerts, tours, residencies, presentations, and recordings, the Orchestra is a global ambassador for Philadelphia and for the United States. Having been the first American orchestra to perform in China, in 1973 at the request of President Nixon, today The Philadelphia Orchestra boasts a new partnership with the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The Orchestra annually performs at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center while also enjoying a three-week residency in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and a strong partnership with the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.

The ensemble maintains an important Philadelphia tradition of presenting educational programs for students of all ages. Today the Orchestra executes myriad of education and community partnership programs serving over 45,000 annually, including its Neighborhood Concert Series, Sound All Around and Family Concerts, and eZseatU.

For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.

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