From September 2012, Spanish maestro Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos is to be the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor. His predecessor, Thomas Dausgaard has led the orchestra since 2004, seeing the ensemble perform at the BBC Proms in 2010 to outstanding critical acclaim. He will depart at the end of the 2010/2011 season, and Frühbeck de Burgos will join the orchestra in 2012 for an initial contract of 3 seasons.
Frühbeck de Burgos has regularly appeared as a guest conductor with the DNSO, and will conduct Verdi’s Requiem in October 2011 before joining as chief conductor in September 2012. During his tenure, Frühbeck de Burgos will take the orchestra on tours of Asia and the USA.
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos was named ‘Conductor of the Year 2010’ by Musical America, who declared that “the warm-hearted Spaniard has become America’s favourite guest conductor. In constant demand from Boston to LA”. Frühbeck de Burgos will continue to thrill his American fans when, during his tenure, he will tour the USA with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.
During his career, Frühbeck de Burgos has served as music conductor of renowned orchestras worldwide including the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Rundfunkorchester Berlin, Bilbao Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, and Vienna Symphony; as well as being principal guest conductor of orchestra in Europe, Japan and America. As a guest conductor, he has led the Berlin Philharmonic, the major London orchestras, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and all of the main American orchestras. His vast recording catalogue includes discs for EMI, Decca and many others.
Of his appointment with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos said:
“I have always enjoyed the collaboration with the musicians of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and I look forward to this opportunity to spend much more time developing our music making together.”
Commenting on the new appointment, General Manager of the DNSO, Ole Bækhøj said:
“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos as our new Chief Conductor. I think he is a wonderful conductor with a strong and warm personality. The appointment is in many ways a logical development as it comes after a number of very successful visits to the orchestra as guest conductor. I look forward to many great concerts in our new concert hall and I am thrilled that this new collaboration opens the possibility for several international tours and recording projects.”