IPO Chooses New Music Director

David Danzmayr is the new music director for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the first new director for the IPO in the past 25 years, according to an orchestra press release.

Danzmayr, 32, was . As part of the "interview" process, the finalists guest conducted an IPO concert (Danzmayr conducted in January). He takes over for longtime director Carmon DeLeone, .

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"I am tremendously excited to be the new Music Director for the wonderful Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra," Danzmayr, who hails from Austria, said in the press release. "The concert we had together in January was a big success. I liked the professional and friendly atmosphere in the rehearsals, as well as the enthusiastic and energetic performance. This orchestra plays on a very high level. I am looking forward to the coming season as we will have a lot of interesting and inspiring repertoire for our audiences. We will enjoy many special moments of making music together."

Danzmayr's first concert as IPO music director will be the orchestra's 35th season-opener on Nov. 10, the release stated. He will meet the patrons and community members during the IPO's open house Aug. 26 at 's Performing Arts Center, the venue that serves as the orchestra's performance home, the release continued.

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"Maestro Danzmayr is an extremely talented and energetic young conductor with a dynamic personality," IPO President Richard Moutvic said in the press release. "He conducted a vibrant and exciting concert of music by Mendelssohn [in January], which was highly acclaimed by both the audience and the musicians. What's more, he is keenly interested in engaging with the community and broadening our music education programs."

Here's a look at some of the highlights in Danzmayr's musical résumé:

• Worked as a guest conductor with leading orchestras including the City of Birmingham (England) Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchester, the Haydn Orchester Bozen, and the Sinfonieorchester Basel.
• Appointed this month as music director of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio, beginning with the 2013-2014 season.
• Served as assistant conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for three years
• Regular guest conductor and tutor for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute.
• One of four finalists last year in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's First International Sir Georg Solti Conducting Competition.
• Prize-winner in the prestigious International Malko Conducting Competition in May in Copenhagen.
• Studied at the Sibelius Academy and the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where he's from.

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