May 22, 2026
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How they picked a music director in Washington DC

How they picked a music director in Washington DC

Leonard Slatkin remembers:

It was a hastily arranged marriage. The National Symphony Orchestra was looking for a new music director, and after André Previn turned down the job offer, I was approached. My relationship with the ensemble was minimal at that point in 1995. A concert was organized at the last minute to see if we could work well together.

At the intermission, then Chairman of the Board James Wolfensohn came to my dressing room and told me that some people wanted to visit me. Moments later, President Bill Clinton and family came in. I was stunned, to say the least.

The president said, “I hope you will become a part of the Washington arts world and lead this orchestra into the future.”…

Read on…

The post How they picked a music director in Washington DC appeared first on Slippedisc.

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