The German-born conductor Matthias Pintscher will be the fifth Music Director of the KS City Symphony (KCS) — starting in the two thousand twenty-four/twenty-five season for an initial duration of five years. Pintscher comes to the role a ten-year stint as Music Director of Ensemble Intercontemporain, one of the world's leading contemporary-music groups. He succeeds outgoing Music Director Michael Stern, who's led the KCS since two thousand five. Despite a large no of visitor conductors being considered for the post across a two-year period, the orchestra committee's decision was nearly instantaneous once they'd seen Pintscher work with the ensemble — and he was offered the post mere days after his first appearance with the orchestra.
The winner of the two thousand twenty-two Polar Music Prize, Matthias Pintscher has held positions with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, the LA Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Ojai Music Festival, and the Lucerne Festival School Orchestra, as well as Ensemble Intercontemporain. Pintscher is also a respected composer, and his works have been premiered by some of the world's best orchestras. He's been on the composition faculty at The Juilliard School since two thousand fourteen. "Many friends told me beforehand how much I'd appreciate meeting and working with the KS City Symphony," Pintscher said. "But in March, when I first met the orchestra, we'd much more than just a excellent time! There was an immediate connection between us.
I felt a sense of homecoming when I recognized some of the musicians as alums of the New World Symphony, which I regularly conduct." "I'm excited about embarking on this journey of adventures with the KS City Symphony, and can’t wait to start exploring different repertoires together and working to a compelling legend and vision for our vibrant community," he added. "The musicians of the KS City Symphony warmly welcome Matthias Pintscher as our new Music Director," said Kristin Velicer, the Chair of the KCS Musicians' Committee. "The instant chemistry and respect between Maestro Pintscher and the musicians were palpable the first rehearsal."
"Additionally, the personal connections he made with us both on and off stage were inspiring and genuine," she continued. "When the audience appla died down after our latest concert together, we all began to stomp our feet to insist that he return to the stage, so we could applaud him ourselves and thank him for a truly spectacular week. We all came far knowing that he was the one."
