New York orchestra hunts Latvian conductor

RIGA - The world-renowned New York Philharmonic Orchestra has hinted that the well known Latvian-American conductor Mariss Jansons could lead it.

Jansons was invited to conduct the main concert dedicated to the legendary composer and a longtime conductor of the New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein at the Avery Fisher Hall on Oct. 31.

"Almost every critic in town who was not covering the Opening of the New York City Opera's new production of Handel's "Rinaldo" seemed to be across the plaza at Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday evening checking out conductor Mariss Jansons, who led a special nonsubscription concert with the New York Philharmonic," The New York Times reported Nov. 2.

Born in Latvia in 1943, Jansons has been garnering high praise and growing attention for his work with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he has been music director since 1997.

The Philharmonic has been leaking Jansons name as a possible candidate to succeed the present conductor Kurt Masur in 2002, according to The New York Times.

There are enormous implications surrounding this appointment. For the Philharmonic board it is essential to have a top-notch conductor in place, someone who will continue the high performance standards and growth experienced under Masur. Also, someone who can foster new music, try new approaches and attract new listeners to the concert hall.

"No single guest appearance by a conductor can reveal all of that. But the strengths that Jansons would bring to the post were clear. With only three rehearsals, the orchestra played splendidly for him" said the music review.

The New York Times surmised what kind of artistic leader Jansons would be. "He is a indisputably gifted musician, as the single program made it clear," it wrote.