Zdenek Macal, who is stepping down as director of the New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra, has been named chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, succeeding
Vladimir Ashkenazy, The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. reports.
Macal, who left then-Communist Czechoslovakia after the 1968 Soviet invasion, will replace Ashkenazy in 2003. He has led the New Jersey orchestra for 10 years and announced his intention to leave the post about a year ago. Askenazy has held the post in Prague since 1998.
"It's difficult to say it's a homecoming — I've lived in so many places," Macal, a naturalized American citizen, told the newspaper. "But when the Czech Philharmonic asks, you can't say no. It was a very difficult decision." Macal returned to guest conduct the Czech Philharmonic in 1995 and became principal conductor of the smaller Prague Symphony this season.
With the Czech Philharmonic, Macal will head a conducting staff that includes Vladimir Valek, Charles Mackerras and Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi. The Star-Ledger notes that although Macal has drawn praise during his 30 years in the U.S., particularly for his orchestra-building work in Milwaukee and New Jersey, his goal of landing a major conducting post has eluded him until now.
The New Jersey Symphony has not yet chosen Macal's successor.
— Michael Markowitz
"Macal checks out"
Willa J. Conrad - The
Star-Ledger[Newark, N.J.] - 15 March 2002
NOTE: External links remain active for a limited
time.
