Australia’s Sydney Symphony Orchestra has appointed the renowned Russian conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy as its new principal conductor.

Ashkenazy, 69, has appeared regularly with the Sydney Symphony and is highly regarded by the orchestra’s musicians.

Maestro Ashkenazy is a leading international conductor, he was music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo and the European Union Youth Orchestra. He has also held leading artistic roles with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin.

The managers of the Sydney Symphony say they’re delighted he’s coming to Sydney to work with them.

Maestro Ashkenazy will take on the orchestra from the end of 2008, and will spend at least eight weeks with the SSO annually. He will also conduct the orchestra on overseas tours.
Mr. Ashkenazy says he is very happy to accept the position with Sydney Symphony.

“I have conducted the orchestra several times and consider it to be a world-class ensemble, and I look forward to our working together on some exciting projects, tours and recordings,” said Ashkenazy.

“I see great possibilities with this talented, hard-working and committed group of outstanding musicians and the organisation that supports it.”

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