Edo de Waart may become the next music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic
(HKPO), the orchestra announced today.
De Waart, the former music director of the San Francisco Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra, steps down as Sydney Symphony music director this year. He is also the chief conductor of Netherlands Opera.
In a press release issued late Wednesday afternoon, the HKPO said that the 62-year-old Dutch maestro "has expressed an interest in the music directorship of the HKPO, but would like to get to know the Orchestra before considering the possibility further."
The orchestra has arranged for de Waart to stand in for outgoing music director Samuel Wong in a pair of scheduled concerts on 4–5 July. Wong, who was sacked as music director last year before being rehired as principal conductor, gave his "gracious consent" to de Waart leading the concerts, the press release said.
"We are very happy to engage Mr. de Waart who has kindly agreed to stop by Hong Kong en route to Japan for a scheduled engagement in early July," said Paul Leung, the new HKPO chief executive. "He will take the opportunity to work with our orchestra and get to know more about the musicians as part of his consideration for the music director job here."
The concerts will be de Waart's debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. His appearance, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet as pianist, marks the orchestra's most star-studded occasion since it turned professional in 1974.
Musicians and local classical fans received the news of de Waart's interest in leading the HKPO with excitement and even disbelief. Since Samuel Wong took over as music director three years ago, the orchestra has been plagued with controversy, with more than 30 musicians resigning.
"I am kind of nervous about de Waart's coming to conduct us in just two weeks' time," said one player. "I hope we will not disappoint him and deter him from taking the job."
The conductor's emergence as a candidate for the position was apparently sudden. According to an orchestra staff member, the HKPO program for 2003–2004 season, which is due to be released in a week's time, does not include any appearances by de Waart.
All eyes are now on the 4–5 July concerts, which are expected to
sell out. Among the most eager observers will be Hu Fa-kuang, the new HKPO
general committee chairman. "We sincerely hope the orchestra will be able to
impress Maestro de Waart and convince him that the HKPO would be able to
collaborate successfully with the maestro and benefit from his musical
leadership," Hu said.
