Yannick
Nézet-Séguin took up the position of Principal
Guest Conductor at the start of the Orchestra's 2008/09 season.
He spoke to music journalist Edward Seckerson just before his first concert, on 10 October 2008. You can listen to some short sections or the full interview using the music player below. Nézet-Séguin describes his early musical training, his conducting style, and how he perceives the personality of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.
Download the complete 40 minute interview (29MB mp3) to transfer to your mp3 player.
Further concerts this season are on 11 February, 4 April and 27 May.
What made this performance memorable was Nézet-Séguin’s ability to make every note come alive.
Financial Times, February 2009
Nézet-Séguin could galvanise the orchestra into granite-like statements and coax it into beguiling lyricism. Buoyancy and firm rhythmic impetus in the scherzo were contrasted with the mellifluous shaping of the intense adagio, and ever present alongside Nézet-Séguin's sense of overall perspective was his ear for subtly drawn details of expression within the complex texture.
Daily Telegraph, February 2009
The 32-year-old French Canadian's appointment follows his
new position of Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic
Orchestra and his Artistic Direction of the Orchestre Métropolitain
du Grand Montréal.
Unanimous and instantaneous respect from orchestral musicians,
a formidable technique and a sense of calm, communicative
authority have all been cited as reasons for his success,
and have prompted his swift appointments at both the Rotterdam
and London Philharmonic Orchestras.
Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the
London Philharmonic Orchestra said today: “Many
who witnessed Yannick's impressive debut with the London Philharmonic
Orchestra will understand the motivation for this appointment.
Taking outstanding musicality, knowledge and technique as
a given Yannick's brilliance lies in his ability to move players
to exceptional performance and to communicate a strength and
vitality of vision to the listener that is totally engrossing”.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin was born in Montreal in
1975 and began piano lessons at the age of five, singing as
chorister in the Cathedral Choir and later entering the Conservatoire
de musique du Québec à Montréal where
he studied piano, composition and conducting. He has studied
with a number of eminent conductors, among them Carlo Maria
Giulini, and was appointed Artistic Director of the Orchestre
Métropolitain du Grand Montréal in 2000. This
remarkable musical partnership has attracted widespread praise
and several awards - for both concert and recording work.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin regularly appears with
the Toronto Symphony and other leading Canadian orchestras
and makes his debut with the National Symphony Orchestra Washington
later this season, with debuts at other major US orchestras
planned. In 2004 Yannick Nézet-Séguin began
his European career, working with ensembles including the
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic,
Orchestre National de France, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande,
the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse and in Britain
the City of Birmingham Symphony, Northern Sinfonia and Scottish
Chamber Orchestras. He has considerable opera experience,
and has conducted acclaimed productions for the companies
in Montreal, Vancouver, Quebec and Toronto; plans include
major operatic debuts in North America and Europe during the
next two seasons. He continues to find time for occasional
appearances as pianist in recitals and performance of chamber
music. Recordings to date include a series with Orchestre
Métropolitain for the Canadian label ATMA Classique.
There are also plans to record with both Rotterdam Philharmonic
and for the London Philharmonic's own label.
'We will be hearing a good deal
more from Nézet-Séguin in coming seasons, if
his most recent performances in this country are anything
to go by….a conductor with not only the self-confidence
and virtuosity that speaks of a maestro in the making, but
also with a highly individual approach to the music.'
The Guardian, April 2007
Visit www.yannicknezetseguin.com to find out more.
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