Phila. Orchestra’s new maestro

Yannick Nezet Sequin takes the Philadelphia Orchestra’s podium at a precarious moment.

The thirty-five year old Yannick Nezet Seguin is short of stature but towering with energy. The musicians have said they instantly liked having him on the podium. He has conducted every major orchestra in the world, and says he is impressed by the intensity of the Fabulous Philadelphians.

He says his future programming will complement masterpieces with undersung work.

“So you not only have a nice meal, a balanced appetizer and a nice main course that goes well with dessert. That’s important to have a nice meal. But its more important to give an experience to the listener as to what is the common ground between Bach and Webern, the difference between Debussy and Verdi.”

Nezet-Seguin believes the Philadelphia’s Orchestra has suffered internationally because it hasn’t been recording or touring as it used to. He says a global reputation begins locally.

“The orchestra’s face to the world is intimately connected to its face in its community. No orchestra can tour if it’s not backed by its own community. To be backed by the community, it needs to be more present in the community.”

Nezet-Seguin keeps apartments in Montreal and Rotterdam. He says when he begins as music director in 2012 he will take up residence in Philadelphia.