Conductor-in-Residence Cristian Macelaru to Lead Philadelphia Orchestra, 3/12-14

The Philadelphia Orchestra's conductor-in-residence, Cristian Macelaru, replaces Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos for three concerts on March 12, 13, and 14 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Frühbeck, who last season celebrated conducting more than 150 concerts with the Orchestra in Philadelphia, passed away in June.

There are no changes in the previously announced program, which includes the debut of pianist Jorge Federico Osorio. The concerts include works by Beethoven and Falla. (Please see below for concert listing.)

For information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, visit www.philorch.org.

About Cristian M?celaru - Winner of the 2014 Solti Conducting Award, Cristian M?celaru has established himself as one of the fast-rising stars of the conducting world. With every concert he displays an exciting and highly regarded presence, thoughtful interpretations, and energetic conviction on the podium. Conductor-in-residence of The Philadelphia Orchestra, he began his tenure with that ensemble as assistant conductor in September 2011, and in recognition of his artistic contributions to the Orchestra, his title was elevated to associate conductor in November 2012. In addition to supporting Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin in important artistic projects, Mr. M?celaru will conduct a subscription week each season, as well as educational and community programs, and lead the ensemble in summer performances in Philadelphia and other venues. He made his Orchestra subscription debut in April 2013 stepping in unexpectedly in place of Jaap van Zweden. Of the substitution, the Chestnut Hill Local said: "[M?celaru] led a stunning performance of 'Death and Transfiguration' and a charming reading of the Suite from the opera 'Der Rosenkavalier'. ... And the Philadelphians sounded fabulous."

Mr. M?celaru recently made two overwhelmingly successful appearances with the Chicago Symphony on subscription programs two seasons in a row as a replacement for Pierre Boulez. The first was in February 2012 and the subsequent was in March 2013, with the Chicago Sun-Times exclaiming: "Macelaru is the real thing, displaying confidence without arrogance and offering expressiveness without excess demonstration."

In addition to a subscription week in Philadelphia, Mr. M?celaru's 2014-15 season includes his official Carnegie Hall debut, with the Danish National Symphony. Replacing the orchestra's chief conductor, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Mr. M?celaru will have the honor of conducting the Danish National Symphony in Denmark and on a German and U.S. tour in January and February 2015. Mr. M?celaru also returns on subscription to Chicago and has subscription debuts with the Toronto, Baltimore, Houston, St. Louis, Seattle, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis symphonies in North America; the U.K.'s Hallé Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony; and the Hague's Residentie Orkest in the Netherlands.

Mr. M?celaru made his professional debut conducting Puccini's Madame Butterfly at Houston Grand Opera in November 2010, after collaborating with Patrick Summers on the world premiere of Jake Heggie's Moby Dick as assistant conductor of Dallas Opera. With a passion for diverse repertoire, Mr. M?celaru led the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in the US premiere of Colin Matthews's Turning Point in 2010 as part of the Tanglewood Contemporary Music Festival.

An accomplished violinist from an early age, Mr. M?celaru was the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Miami Symphony and made his Carnegie Hall debut with that orchestra at age 19. He also played in the first violin section of the Houston Symphony for two seasons. Formerly he held the position of resident conductor at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, where he was music director of the Campanile Orchestra, assistant conductor to Larry Rachleff, and conductor for the Opera Department.

As the founder and artistic director of the Crisalis Music Project, Mr. M?celaru spearheaded a program in which young musicians perform in a variety of settings, side-by-side with established, renowned artists. Their groundbreaking first season produced and presented concerts featuring chamber ensembles, a chamber orchestra, a tango operetta, and collaborations with dancer Susana Collins, which resulted in a choreographed performance of Vivaldi/Piazzolla's Eight Seasons.

Mr. M?celaru received the 2012 Sir Georg Solti Emerging Conductor Award, a prestigious honor only awarded once before in the Foundation's history. He has participated in the conducting programs of the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival, studying under David Zinman, Murry Sidlin, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Robert Spano, Oliver Knussen, and Stefan Asbury. Mr. M?celaru's main studies were with Mr. Rachleff at Rice University, where he received his Master of Music degree in conducting as well as a master's in violin performance. He completed undergraduate studies in violin performance at the University of Miami.

PROGRAM:

Beethoven's "Pastoral"

March 12 at 8:00 PM - Thursday evening - Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

March 13 at 2:00 PM - Friday afternoon - Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

March 14 at 8:00 PM - Saturday evening - Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Cristian M?celaru Conductor

Jorge Federico Osorio Piano - Philadelphia Orchestra Debut

Beethoven

Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral")

Falla

Nights in the Gardens of Spain, for piano and orchestra

Falla

Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat