Guest conductors share podium as Las Vegas Philharmonic seeks new music director
The Las Vegas Philharmonic's 2006-2007 season has been themed "Passing the Baton," and will include three guest conductors sharing the podium with outgoing Music Director Harold Weller.
David Commanday, David Itkin and Peter Rubardt will conduct the first three concerts of the season, each having chosen their own repertoire and guest artists One of them is expected to replace Weller, who is retiring after this season.
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"The Conductor Search Committee, of which I am a part, has done yeoman service in sifting through the 250-some applicants for the music director's position," Weller says. "The three conductors we have chosen to appear in the coming season have solid credentials and experience as music directors in their respective cities."
Commanday is music director of the Peoria (Illinois) Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Harvard University and the Vienna Hochschule fur Musik, he brings a broad range of experience to the podium.
Commanday will be conducting the music of Rossini, Sarasate and Beethoven with featured guest violinist Lara St. John in the Philharmonic's season-opening concert on Oct. 14.
Itkin is music director/conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra. He has guest-conducted orchestras in Europe, Asia and North America, and previously served as associate conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Birmingham Opera and music director of the Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra.
Itkin has selected the music of Berlioz, Barber and Prokofiev for his appearance in Las Vegas on Nov. 18. Matt Haimovitz, cello, is guest artist.
Rubardt is celebrating his 10th anniversary as the music director of the Pensacola (Florida) Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Julliard, he was also a distinguished Fulbright Scholar in Vienna. Prior to his Pensacola appointment, Rubardt served as associate conductor of the Syracuse Symphony.
He has selected the music of Mozart, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff for his Feb. 17 Las Vegas appearance. Stewart Goodyear, piano, will join him for this evening's concert.
Season tickets are now on sale. Prices range from $137 to $372. Call 895-2787 for details.
