DENVER – December 17, 2014 – The Colorado Symphony is delighted to announce that internationally renowned conductor Andrew Litton will continue to serve as the orchestra’s Music Director through the 2017/18 season. As the orchestra’s artistic leader, Litton will continue to guide the artistic vision of the largest and most critically acclaimed professional orchestra in the Rocky Mountain West.
“It’s my honor to extend my tenure with the Colorado Symphony, which is one of the finest orchestras in the United States, and a joy to conduct and lead,” says Litton. “The musicians here are some of the best in the world, and it’s my honor to grow professionally with them and to contribute to the evolution of this modern American orchestra.
“The future of the Colorado Symphony is very bright,” Litton adds. “The next three years will be a thrill for me, for the musicians, and for Denver, a city I’ve come to love and am proud to be a part of.”
After serving as the Colorado Symphony’s Artistic Adviser from 2012 to 2013, Litton was named Music Director in August 2013. Since then, Litton has elevated the orchestra to new heights of excellence in performance and programming. With an unparalleled portfolio that includes 120 recordings as both conductor and performer, as well as distinguished conducting appointments around the world, Litton has expanded the orchestra’s global profile and audience.
“Andrew is the Peyton Manning of the orchestra world, and Denver is fortunate to have a conductor of his caliber on the podium and behind the scenes,” says Jerome H. Kern, the Colorado Symphony’s CEO and co-chair of its Board of Trustees. “This is another step forward for one of the greatest orchestras in the United States.”
Yesterday, Litton was named music director of the New York City Ballet. The announcement was made as Litton, a New York native, prepared for a performance at Carnegie Hall with Colorado Symphony Concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams and Principal Horn Michael Thornton. Litton currently serves as Music Director of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway, a post he will vacate in October 2015. Litton was formerly Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony in Britain. Multiple appointments are common among prestige conductors.
Litton has brought the world’s leading soloists to the stage of Boettcher Concert Hall; the 2014/15 season includes performances by Gil Shaham, Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg, and Yefim Bronfman. Last month, Litton led the Colorado Symphony through a high-profile recording of the music of Aaron Copland, to be released by Bis Records, classical music’s leading imprint, in 2015. Working closely with Colorado Symphony musicians, Litton has overseen the growth of the orchestra to include new principal players, culled from leading ensembles across the United States. The extension of Litton’s contract allows him and the Colorado Symphony to pursue an ambitious set of goals, including more recordings as well as national and international tours.
Litton serves on the Colorado Symphony’s Board of Trustees.
MEDIA:
The Denver Post – Andrew Litton adds post with New York City Ballet, re-ups in Denver
Colorado Public Radio – CSO music director Andrew Litton extends contract, accepts NYC Ballet role
The Denver Post – Andrew Litton named Colorado Symphony Orchestra music director
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ABOUT THE COLORADO SYMPHONY
One of the leading orchestras in the United States, the Colorado Symphony performs more than 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across Colorado. Led by internationally renowned Music Director Andrew Litton, the Colorado Symphony is home to eighty full-time musicians, representing more than a dozen nations, and regularly welcomes the most celebrated artists from the world of symphonic music and beyond. Every season, the Colorado Symphony serves more than 250,000 people from all walks of life, performing a range of musical styles, from traditional to contemporary. Recognized as an incubator of innovation, creativity, and excellence, the Colorado Symphony continually expands its reach through education, outreach, and programming. The Colorado Symphony partners with the state’s leading musical artists, cultural organizations, corporations, foundations, sports teams, and individuals to expose diverse audiences to the transformative power of music. To learn more, visit coloradosymphony.org.