Los Angeles Times: “Pasadena Symphony's James DePreist keeps eye on 'artistic ball'”

[James DePreist is the new artistic advisor for the Pasadena Symphony. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)]

By David Mermelstein,

Special to the Los Angeles Times

October 23, 2010

“The new advisor, a director of conducting at Juilliard, sees an opportunity to help guide the orchestra through troubled times and 'produce great music.'”

“In June, James DePreist, the director of conducting and orchestral studies at the Juilliard School and an elder statesman in American music, accepted the symphony's offer to be its artistic advisor for the present season, helping shape the orchestra's future and profile. On Saturday he leads his first concerts with the ensemble — the only one of this season's five programs to be conducted by him.

“The repertory — Rossini's Overture to 'The Thieving Magpie,' Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto and Brahms' Symphony No. 2 — is hardly avant-garde, but the soloist, San Diego-born Anne Akiko Meyers, is popular and respected. The program (presented at 2 and 8 p.m.) also marks the orchestra's move from its longtime home, the acoustically disappointing Pasadena Civic Auditorium, to the city's highly regarded but rarely used Ambassador Auditorium.

“DePreist, 73, seems to have no illusions concerning the difficulties of the task before him. 'My job is to keep my eye on the artistic ball no matter what happens,' he said over tea at his hotel on Thursday afternoon.” “As for DePreist's talents on the podium, there seems to be no disputing that. 'He's incredibly true to the music,' Meyers said. 'He's a deeply feeling person and has a gift for lyricism. We've played various violin concertos together, and every time it's a dynamic tour de force but not in-your-face. He's a poet himself, you know, so it's like poetic music-making.'" [AfriClassical.com profiles James DePreist (b. 1936). Maestro De Preist has published two volumes of poetry and has his own website, http://www.JamesDePreist.com.]

Pasadena Star-News: 'James DePreist, Pasadena Symphony's new artistic advisor, makes first visit'

[James DePreist]

By Janette Williams, Staff Writer

Posted: 08/30/2010

“PASADENA - On his first visit to Pasadena since being named artistic advisor to the Pasadena Symphony in June, Maestro James DePreist found his surroundings strangely familiar. 'I think I conducted the Monte Carlo Symphony here a few years ago,' DePreist said, looking around at the orchestra's new Ambassador Auditorium digs. 'I know my aunt, Marian Anderson, sang here.' DePreist may face a less daunting situation than the iconic African-American contralto when she sang from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 at Eleanor Roosevelt's invitation.

“But the 73-year-old DePreist said he knows his new job will have its own challenges at a 'fragile' time for orchestras in this country. He gave 'considerable thought' to becoming advisor to the symphony on guest conductors, soloists and orchestral repertoire, he said. More so in light of the publicly unexplained departure of Maestro Jorge Mester in May after 25 years, then last week's sudden resignation of 10-year POPS music director Rachael Worby.

"'It gives one pause,' he said, adding that it suggested not everyone has been 'on the same page.' 'The question is, can you rise above the schisms that exist? I don't underestimate the challenge at all,' DePreist said. 'I know Jorge, we've been friends for a long time,' DePreist said. 'I'm not a replacement for anyone, I'm not rushing in to fill a void ... I agreed to work alongside everyone, in a way that I can use the experience I have. And if I can't, I will be the fastest person leaving Pasadena."

[On March 1, 2010 AfriClassical.com announced a complete revision of its page on James DePreist (b. 1936), the world-famous African American conductor who is Director of Conducting & Orchestral Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City. James De Preist has also published two volumes of poetry and has his own website, http://www.JamesDePreist.com.]

Pasadena Now: 'James DePreist named Artistic Advisor of Pasadena Symphony'

[James De Preist Conducting Oregon Symphony]

PasadenaNow.com

“Maestro DePreist's responsibilities will be to serve as an artistic partner advising on matters regarding guest conductors, soloists and orchestral repertoire”

From STAFF REPORTS

Published: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 | 2:31 PM

“Building on the 25-year legacy of Maestro Jorge Mester, the Pasadena Symphony Association has named Maestro James DePreist - widely esteemed as one of America ’s finest conductors - as its Artistic Advisor. He is respected for his work with some of the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the US, Europe and Asia along with his transformation of the Oregon Symphony from a regional orchestra to an internationally acclaimed ensemble. He has had an ongoing presence at the Aspen Music Festival, appearances over the years at Tanglewood and the Mann Center in Philadelphia and has held a position as Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies at the Juilliard School.

“Maestro DePreist’s responsibilities will be to serve as an artistic partner advising on matters regarding guest conductors, soloists and orchestral repertoire that will best serve the Pasadena Symphony Association and its community as the Association takes the time it needs to identify its permanent artistic leader. Additionally, DePreist will counsel the Association in its artistic direction as it moves through its transition from being a regional orchestra to an ensemble that becomes a more prominent artistic force in Southern California.

“Maestro DePreist’s appointment as Artistic Advisor allows the Association the breathing room necessary in finding the perfect artistic and philosophical fit for the orchestra, community and organization as it engages a roster of conductors from the incredible depth and breadth of talent that is out there on the national and international scene,” states Paul Jan Zdunek, Chief Executive Officer. Having made an important impact on the life of American music, the President of the United States presented James DePreist with the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.” “Maestro DePreist will lead the Pasadena Symphony at its inaugural concert weekend of the season in its new home at the Ambassador Auditorium - known as the Carnegie Hall of the West –on Saturday October 23, 2010.”

On March 1, 2010 AfriClassical.com announced a complete revision of its page on James DePreist (b. 1936), the world-famous African American conductor who is Director of Conducting & Orchestral Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City. Maestro DePreist made this gracious reply: "I am deeply appreciative of the noting of my career and the excellence of the website." James De Preist, who has also published volumes of poetry, has his own website, http://www.JamesDePreist.com.