Winnipeg, MB – February 14, 2018 – – In a press conference this morning, Terry Sargeant, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), announced that Russian-born maestro Daniel Raiskin will be the next Music Director of the WSO commencing August 1, 2018. The public’s first opportunity to see Maestro Raiskin in action will be at The Asper Foundation Opening Night Gala on September 17, 2018 and then at concerts throughout the WSO 2018-2019 season.
“The Board believes that Daniel will prove to be an excellent Music Director for the WSO,” says WSO Board Chair Terry Sargeant. “His musicianship is outstanding. His experiences have spanned the globe. He will bring to our stage skills and talent and new ideas that will allow our orchestra to continue to grow in making great music. We look forward to having Daniel Raiskin as a member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and of our community.”
Daniel Raiskin’s career to date has taken him around the world. Recent guest conducting engagements include orchestras in Düsseldorf, Hong Kong, Athens, Osaka, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mexico City to name a few. He is Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife and of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. Previous positions include Chief Conductor of the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie in Koblenz and the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra in Łódz. His long list of recordings have received both critical acclaim and awards, including the Echo Classic Award in 2012 for an album of cello concertos by Korngold, Bloch and Goldschmidt with Julian Steckel on AVI. Gramophone Magazine writes, “Daniel Raiskin is clearly a musician of sensibility, well versed in his craft; a further example perhaps of one last great gift of the old Soviet Union, the rigour and distinction of its conducting schools.”
Daniel Raiskin is already a familiar face to regular WSO concertgoers. Having led the WSO three times since 2015, his last appearance was in October to conduct Beethoven, Chopin, and Górecki.
“The musicians of the WSO are very excited to welcome Maestro Raiskin to our family.” said concertmaster Gwen Hoebig. “We know his breadth of knowledge and excellent musicianship are a great fit for the variety of music we perform. All our audiences are really going to enjoy hearing and seeing us make music together!”
Of the appointment, Raiskin said, “From the very first rehearsal my experience of making music with WSO’s excellent, curious and highly driven musicians was remarkably natural and very inspiring. I’ve only had a few encounters in my professional life where I could enjoy this kind of immediate connection, trust and feeling of freedom – I cherish this. There is also an endless potential this orchestra offers in terms of programming variety. Leading an ensemble that is equally at ease with excellent symphonic repertoire, ballet and opera accompaniments, broadway shows, film music, educational projects and popular offerings is a treat! For more than a quarter of a century WSO is at the core of the already emblematic Winnipeg New Music Festival and this in itself is an extraordinary source of innovation and energy. I feel truly privileged and excited to take on this new role and to develop my relationship with such a wonderful ensemble, its devoted audiences and community in Winnipeg and beyond.”
Maestro Raiskin will open the WSO’s 18-19 Season on September 17th and conduct many concerts throughout the season. Full details of the 18-19 Season will be announced on February 23rd.
