Edouard van Remoortel
Encyclopedia
Edouard van Remoortel was a Belgian
conductor
. He studied cello and conducting at the Brussels conservatory. He was affiliated with the Belgian National Orchestra as of 1951.
From 1958 to 1962, van Remoortel was music director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
(SLSO). He was appointed after a successful guest-conducting appearance with the SLSO. However, troubles soon developed between him and the orchestra, because of his relative youth and conducting inexperience, and also because of personality clashes with the musicians. In his first season, he attempted to dismiss 42 of the orchestra's musicians, and in return, they voted at one point not to play for him. His last season with the SLSO featured him as conductor in only seven subscription concerts, and his contract was not renewed. While in St. Louis, van Remoortel did make a guest conducting appearance with the St. Louis Philharmonic, a non-professional community orchestra separate from the SLSO.
Many recordings were made for the Vox label with various European orchestras.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. He studied cello and conducting at the Brussels conservatory. He was affiliated with the Belgian National Orchestra as of 1951.
From 1958 to 1962, van Remoortel was music director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the SLSO is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States as it is preceded by the New York Philharmonic.-History:The St...
(SLSO). He was appointed after a successful guest-conducting appearance with the SLSO. However, troubles soon developed between him and the orchestra, because of his relative youth and conducting inexperience, and also because of personality clashes with the musicians. In his first season, he attempted to dismiss 42 of the orchestra's musicians, and in return, they voted at one point not to play for him. His last season with the SLSO featured him as conductor in only seven subscription concerts, and his contract was not renewed. While in St. Louis, van Remoortel did make a guest conducting appearance with the St. Louis Philharmonic, a non-professional community orchestra separate from the SLSO.
Recordings
- Henry Charles Litolff: Concerto Symphonique No. 4, Op 102, Gerald Robbins (piano), Monte-Carlo Opera Orchestra
- Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-SaënsCharles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
: Introduction et Rondo capriccioso, Henryk Szeryng (violin), Orchestre National De L'Opera de Monte-Carlo
Many recordings were made for the Vox label with various European orchestras.
External links
- Edouard van Remoortel biography at the St Louis Symphony
- Edouard van Remoortel biography