James Gaffigan (conductor)

Last updated

James Gaffigan (born August 11, 1979 [1] ) is an American conductor.

Contents

Biography

Gaffigan was born in New York City. Gaffigan's father, Dennis Gaffigan, was a salesman for Procter & Gamble, and his mother, Cheryl Gaffigan, was a school secretary. [2] [3] He attended public school on Staten Island [4] in addition to attending the LaGuardia High School and the Juilliard School Preparatory Division. [5]

Gaffigan studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music and subsequently at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where his teachers included Larry Rachleff. He earned a Master's degree from the Shepherd School in 2003. [6] He subsequently developed an interest in conducting, and studied at the American Academy of Conducting of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where his teachers included David Zinman and Murry Sidlin. He was a conducting fellow at Tanglewood in 2003. In 2004, he was a first-prize recipient at the Sir Georg Solti International Conductors' Competition in Germany.

Gaffigan was assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra from 2003 to 2006. During this period in Cleveland, he also served as music director of the CityMusic Cleveland chamber orchestra from 2005 to 2010. [7] He then was associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony from 2006 to 2009, during which time he served as artistic director of the orchestra's 'Summer in the City' festival.

In Europe, Gaffigan first guest-conducted the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra in 2008. He returned for a second guest-conducting appearance in June 2009. In January 2010, the orchestra named him its next chief conductor, effective with the 2011–2012 season. [8] In June 2015, his Lucerne contract was extended through the 2021–2022 season. [9] With the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Gaffigan has commercially recorded music of Antonín Dvořák and of Wolfgang Rihm for harmonia mundi. [10] [11] In parallel with the announcement of his Lucerne appointment, Gaffigan was named principal guest conductor of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest (RFO), with a contract for 4 weeks of concerts per season, effective August 2011. In September 2013, he became principal guest conductor of the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, the first principal guest conductor in the orchestra's history. In August 2019, the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra announced the conclusion of Gaffigan's chief conductorship of the orchestra at the close of the 2020–2021 season, [12] following Gaffigan's decision to vacate the Lucerne post one year earlier than the time of his most recent contract announcement.

In September 2020, Gaffigan first guest-conducted the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. In February 2021, the orchestra named Gaffigan its new principal guest conductor, with immediate effect, with an initial contract of two seasons. [13] In June 2021, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía announced the appointment of Gaffigan as its next music director, effective September 1, 2021, with an initial contract of 4 years. [14] In January 2022, the Komische Oper Berlin announced the appointment of Gaffigan as its next music director, effective with the 2023–2024 season, with an initial contract of 4 years. [15]

Gaffigan stood down as principal guest conductor of the Radiofilharmonisch Orkest at the close of the 2022–2023 season. [16] In December 2024, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía announced that Gaffigan is to stand down as its music director at the close of the 2024–2025 season. [17]

Personal life

Gaffigan has been married twice. His first marriage was to the writer Lee Taylor [2] with whom he had two children. [6] With his second wife, the violinist Camilla Kjøll, [18] he has a son. Per a July 2023 social media post by Gaffigan, the couple have separated and remain on amicable terms: [19]

"Although we are not a couple anymore, we share a miracle of a child together and are great friends. Cam is on a journey that many people including family members don't understand. Cam is a proud member of the trans community, a genius parent, brilliant musician, a great listener and an example to people around the world that it’s okay to be yourself and listen to your inner voice."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Haitink</span> Dutch conductor (1929–2021)

Bernard Johan Herman Haitink was a Dutch conductor and violinist. He was the principal conductor of several international orchestras, beginning with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1961. He moved to London, as principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1967 to 1979, music director at Glyndebourne Opera from 1978 to 1988 and of the Royal Opera House from 1987 to 2002, when he became principal conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. Finally, he was principal conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2010. The focus of his prolific recording was classical symphonies and orchestral works, but he also conducted operas. He conducted 90 concerts at The Proms in London, the last on 3 September 2019 with the Vienna Philharmonic. His awards include Grammy Awards and the 2015 Gramophone Award for his lifetime achievements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish National Orchestra</span> Orchestra based in Madrid, Spain

The Orquesta Nacional de España is a Spanish orchestra based in Madrid.

Jonathan Nott is an English conductor.

Stéphane Denève is a French conductor. He is currently music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the New World Symphony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markus Stenz</span> German conductor (born 1965)

Markus Stenz is a German conductor. He studied at the Hochschule für Musik Köln with Volker Wangenhein and at Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa.

The Radio Filharmonisch Orkest is a Dutch radio orchestra, based in Hilversum. The RFO performs under the aegis of the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, an umbrella organization bringing together the music departments of the various broadcasting associations affiliated to Nederlandse Publieke Omroep.

Xian Zhang is a Chinese-American conductor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaap van Zweden</span> Dutch conductor and violinist

Jaap van Zweden is a Dutch conductor and violinist. He is currently music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Seoul Philharmonic.

Jun Märkl is a German conductor. He was chief conductor at the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Gardner (conductor)</span> English conductor

Edward Gardner is an English conductor. While still studying at the Royal Academy of Music in the late 1990s, he began his professional career as a choral conductor and repetiteur. Among other early posts, he was music director of Glyndebourne on Tour from 2004 to 2007. Gardner was music director of English National Opera from 2007 to 2015. From 2010 to 2016, he was principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and since 2013, he has been principal guest conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2021, he has been principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2022, he also became artistic advisor of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, where he is scheduled to become the music director in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Sanderling</span> German conductor and cellist

Michael Sanderling is a German conductor and violoncellist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana</span> Orchestra based in Valencia, Spain

The Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, is a Spanish orchestra based in Valencia. It is the resident orchestra of Valencia’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Langrée</span> French conductor (born 1961)

Louis Langrée is a French conductor. He is the son of organist and theorist Alain Langrée.

John Neal Axelrod is a Swiss/American conductor. In 2024, Axelrod was named Music Director and Principal Conductor of the newly created Swiss National Orchestra. Axelrod was elected Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra in a unique open ended contract in 2022. From 2019 to 2023 He was Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. He was also elected Artistic and musical director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville in 2014 and is Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, "Giuseppe Verdi", also known as "LaVerdi". Between 2009 and 2013, Axelrod was music director of l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, based in Nantes and Angers, France; and from 2009 to 2011, Axelrod served as music director of "Hollywood In Vienna" Gala Concerts with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna. He has also served as music director and Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2009, and from 2001 to 2009 as Principal Guest Conductor of Sinfonietta Cracovia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noord Nederlands Orkest</span>

The Noord Nederlands Orkest is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Groningen. The NNO performs at De Oosterpoort in Groningen and also on a regular basis at these venues in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Søndergård</span> Danish conductor and percussionist

Thomas Søndergård is a Danish conductor and percussionist.

The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra is a Swiss orchestra based in Lucerne. The Luzerner SInfonieorchester is the orchestra-in-residence of the renowned Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre. It also acts as the opera orchestra of the Lucerne Theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trondheim Symphony Orchestra</span>

The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera is a Norwegian orchestra based in Trondheim, Norway. Its principal concert venue is the Olavshallen. The orchestra is organised as a trust and receives public assistance from the Norwegian government, Trøndelag county and the municipality of Trondheim.

Karina Canellakis is an American conductor and violinist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gustavo Gimeno</span> Spanish conductor (born 1976)

Gustavo Gimeno is a Spanish conductor. He is currently chief conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra and music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

References

  1. ↑ David Noel Edwards (August 12, 2024). "Interview: Conductor James Gaffigan on the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the state of classical music". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Lee Taylor, James Gaffigan". New York Times. June 15, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  3. ↑ Tom Strini (April 5, 2012). "This Week At The MSO: Conductor James Gaffigan". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ Wood, Beth (January 22, 2017). "Conductor James Gaffigan on music, San Diego Symphony and the pesky pressure to be funny". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Tom Keogh (March 10, 2010). "Guest conductor James Gaffigan is much-traveled, much in demand". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Steven Brown (February 21, 2014). "James Gaffigan strives for balanced approach". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  7. ↑ Joshua Kosman (November 2, 2005). "New associate conductor for Symphony". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  8. ↑ Martin Cullingford (February 8, 2010). "James Gaffigan to head Lucerne Symphony Orchestra". Gramophone. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  9. ↑ "LSO verlängert den Vertrag mit Chefdirigenten". Neue Luzerner Zeitung . June 19, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  10. ↑ Andrew Clements (April 25, 2013). "Rihm: Symphonie Nähe Fern – review". The Guardian. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  11. ↑ Fiona Maddocks (October 4, 2014). "Dvorák: Symphony No 6, American Suite Op 96b CD review – warm, subtle, pin-sharp". The Observer. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  12. ↑ Urs Mattenberger (August 13, 2019). "Gaffigan gibt Dirigentenstab des Luzerner Sinfonieorchesters ab". Luzerner Zeitung. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  13. ↑ "James Gaffigan appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera" (Press release). Askonas Holt. February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  14. ↑ "James Gaffigan appointed Music Director of Valencia's Palau de les Arts" (Press release). Askonas Holt. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ "James Gaffigan zum Generalmusikdirektor ernannt, Erina Yashima wird Erste Kapellmeisterin" (Press release). Komische Oper Berlin. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Stéphane Denève vaste gastdirigent van het Radio Filharmonisch Orkest" (Press release). Radio Filharmonisch Orkest. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Les Arts comunica que James Gaffigan finalizará su etapa como director musical tras concluir la Temporada 2024-2025" (Press release). Radio Filharmonisch Orkest. December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  18. ↑ Magnus Kallelid and Hilde Bjørhovde (September 30, 2020). "James Gaffigan brøt reglene fordi han er koronafast i Norge. Nå må den kjente dirigenten reise fra familien". Aftenposten. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  19. ↑ James Gaffigan, July 1, 2023 Facebook post.
Cultural offices
Preceded by Chief Conductor, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra
2011–2021		Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía
2021–present		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by Generalmusikdirektor, Komische Oper Berlin
2023–present		Succeeded by
incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.