Vladimir Ashkenazy has been appointed to lead the Sydney Symphony (um?) as Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser starting 2009, where the Russian-born pianist super-star will flex his baton for three years.
Currently leading is Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti, who had been appointed in 2004 as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, and will help Ashkenazy ignite a battle royal in bringing more obscure and celebrated works to the Sydney stage.
Sydney Symphony has gotten all hypercrunked about this one, which we'll admit is a pretty sweet deal:
“Sydney Symphony executives found it hard to contain their excitement as they announced the signing, with one of them claiming it the most prestigious musical appointment in Australia's history: ‘I dare to say that it's one of the most prestigious appointments in Australia ever, he is certainly a door opener,’ Mr Fink said. ‘It will help us to position the orchestra internationally on a very high level.’”
damn str8.
Stupidest quote ever??:
“Sydney Symphony chairman David Maloney said that while Ashkenazy was known as a leading interpreter of Rachmaninov, the orchestra should not expect to be deluged with music composed by Russians.”
OMG the dreaded and inevitable russian invasion!! evry B0dy RUN RUN RUM@!! drunk vodka-swilling spies r evrywhare!