Scotland’s internationally acclaimed orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra today reveals the dynamic young conductor Maxim Emelyanychev as its next Principal Conductor.
Maxim Emelyanychev will take up the post in September 2019. During his first season – which will be announced in March 2019 – he is expected to conduct 5 weeks with the Orchestra.
In March this year, Scottish Chamber Orchestra audiences had a chance to see Maxim Emelyanychev in action after he stepped in at short notice to conduct the orchestra playing Schubert’s ‘Great’ C Major Symphony and Dvořák’s Violin Concerto. The response from players, audiences and critics was unanimous in its praise.
Following Maxim Emelyanychev’s appearance in March there was an immediate and extremely enthusiastic response from the Orchestra.
SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham explains: “Maxim Emelyanychev is truly exceptional with a brilliant mind, and has an incredibly mature understanding of not just music, but crucially, how to get a chamber orchestra of this level to use all of its very best attributes.
“He is a profound thinker, seemingly wired to the music and nourished by it.
“When he conducted Schubert’s C Major Symphony with us in March, his immediate, sensitive, focussed way of working – including very particular attention to phrasing, dynamics and style – quickly led to the orchestra listening and rehearsing like the finest chamber group (that is a special feeling in an orchestra!). His vision of that monumental piece, gradually shared with us, was guided by form, texture, narrative, uncovering a vast emotional range yet utterly devoid of tricks, showmanship or any sense of trying to make a “big impression”. There was a feeling in our concerts with him of the perfect “trialogue” between composer, conductor and orchestra, and each one was different too.
“The prospect of Maxim as Principal Conductor is hugely exciting for the SCO and I look forward to all the music-making ahead with him.”
After the performances together in March, Principal Horn Alec Frank-Gemmill was elated. “This week has been absolutely amazing. Even though Maxim is young he really understands period style, his ears are incredible and he also has fabulous energy”.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Gavin Reid said, “Maxim is a remarkable musician and I am thrilled to be welcoming him to the SCO. For a conductor to create such an extraordinary connection with a new orchestra so quickly, was quite astonishing. It was clear during his very first rehearsal with the SCO, that something special was happening and following three outstanding concerts, there was an overwhelming desire to seek to develop this relationship. Both Maxim and the SCO are internationally recognised for historically- informed Baroque and Classical repertoire. It is also hugely exciting to know that Maxim has an equally curious mind across a very broad range of repertoire - he and the SCO will be an inspirational partnership. I look forward enormously to working closely with Maxim as we plan our programmes for the coming seasons.”
SCO Leader Benjamin Marquise Gilmore commented, “Maxim is a true original with a unique musical voice. His tireless pursuit of perfection is equalled by his energy, and there is clear potential for a great partnership with the orchestra. I can’t wait to work with him again!”
Maxim Emelyanychev, Principal Conductor Designate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra said, "It is very exceptional to feel such a free collaboration with an orchestra at such high level of attention from the beginning of the first rehearsal! It is inspiring and I feel honoured to create music with these extraordinary musicians!
“I look forward with much happiness to the years to come to make music with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, exchanging artistic ideas, improvising and creating art together. I am sure that, with such a fantastic orchestra, we will have a very interesting time growing together through multifaceted programmes, historically informed performance practice and modern performances.”
Maxim is currently performing In War & Peace across Europe with Il Pomo d’Oro and mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato who said, “I wish Maxim every success in his new appointment with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. I am certain that he will bring a heartfelt, adventurous, monumental presence and vision.”
Giulio d’Alessio, Artistic Director of Il Pomo d’Oro added, “Artists like Maxim fulfil the prophecy of the Renaissance: he is the New Man, who pertains to a world of music without borders. The experience of making music with Maxim has no limits and I am sure that he will bring to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra a breath of new creativity.”
More about Maxim Emelyanychev
Maxim Emelyanychev (29) is an outstanding representative of the younger generation of Russian conductors. Born in 1988 to a family of musicians, he studied conducting and piano in Nizhny Novgorod and then with Gennady Rozhdestvensky in Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
His prizes include a Gramophone Award 2017, together with Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d’Oro, for their album In War & Peace (Warner/Erato), and the Golden Mask theatre prize as harpsichordist in a production of Le nozze di Figaro in Perm, conducted by Theodor Currentzis and recorded by Sony Classical.
Since his conducting debut at 12, he has worked with many Russian and international orchestras. He is Principal Conductor of the Zürich-based Il Pomo d'Oro Orchestra and Principal Conductor of Nizhny-Novgorod Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with artists including Riccardo Minasi, Max Emanuel Cenčić, Xavier Sabata, Julia Lezhneva, Sophie Karthäuser, Franco Fagioli, Dmitry Sinkovsky, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Alexei Lubimov, Theodor Currentzis, Patrizia Ciofi, Katia and Marielle Labèque, and Joyce DiDonato.
Highlights of his 2018/19 season include three performances with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse and his fourth appearance with the Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla. He also makes his debut with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, and appearances with the Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano LaVerdi, Orchestre National de Belgique, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Orchestre National de Bordeaux, and St Petersburg Symphony (as part of the Arts Square Festival founded by Yuri Temirkanov).
Next season, alongside taking up his position with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, he conducts the Netherlands Philharmonic, Antwerpen Symphony, Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Tokyo Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, St Petersburg Philharmonic, and makes his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival 2019 with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a production of Handel’s Rinaldo.
He follows in the footsteps of just 5 previous Principal Conductors in the orchestra’s 44 year history; Roderick Brydon (1974-1983), Jukka-Pekka Saraste (1987-1991), Ivor Bolton (1994-1996), Joseph Swensen (1996-2005) and Robin Ticciati (2009-2018).