A master of communication and an inspirational force both on and off the podium, American conductor David Robertson has been praised by the press as "that rare combination of passion and intellect that draws musicians and audiences." Considered among the most important conductors of our time, David Robertson's extensive command of orchestral and operatic repertoire, as well as his dynamic interpretive skills, has allowed him to forge strong relationships with major orchestras worldwide. This fall 2005, Mr. Robertson begins his tenure as the twelfth Music Director of the 126-year-old Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and also assumes the title of Principal Guest Conductor of London's BBC Symphony Orchestra.

During summer 2005, David Robertson's performances include the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at Edinburgh and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC "Late Night Proms." He also leads young musicians at the National Orchestral Institute in Maryland and at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado.

David Robertson's 2005-06 season begins with his first performance as Music Director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra on September 22, 2005. Of special note this season are six appearances at Carnegie Hall where David Robertson is a Perspectives artist. The Perspectives series includes four performances with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra: a November 18 Sound Insights concert "Seeing Debussy, Hearing Monet," and a November 19 program featuring works by Mozart, Feldman and Mahler, both of which take place in Stern Auditorium; a concert version of Jarrell's Cassandre on March 31 in Zankel Hall, and an April 1 performance in Stern Auditorium with the Saint Louis Symphony and Chorus featuring John Adam's On the Transmigration of Souls and Brahms' A German Requiem, Op. 45. He also leads a week-long professional training workshop for young musicians focusing on the music of Olivier Messiaen and Edgard Var�se (February 2006) as part of the Perspectives Series Professional Training Workshop, and on May 18 conducts a chamber concert at Zankel Hall featuring Berio's Naturale, Ligeti's Piano Concerto and Benjamin's Antara. Additional season highlights include an all-day Mozart marathon with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican and other London venues on January 27, 2006; and a special performance on May 10 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in Missouri with The Juilliard School's percussion students as part of Juilliards's year-long Centennial celebration. In addition to his duties with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Robertson continues to guest conduct internationally. In the United States, he guests in subscription series performances with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (November), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (February and April), Boston Symphony Orchestra (March) and the Los Angeles Philharmonic (April), and in Europe with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (October) and the Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra (July).

A recognized expert in 20th and 21st century music with extensive international conducting credits, Mr. Robertson has held several posts abroad. Prior to his Saint Louis Symphony appointment, Mr. Robertson was Music Director of the Orchestre National de Lyon and Artistic Director of that city's Auditorium, posts he held from 2000 - 2004. His tenure there marked the first time that one artist held both musical posts in Lyon. From 1992- 2000, he was Music Director of the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris, of which Pierre Boulez is Honorary President, and from 1985-1987, he was resident conductor of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. His international conducting credits include the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Halle Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, NHK Symphony, Hamburg NDR Symphony Orchestra, Bayerisches Staatsorchester in Munich, Staatskapelle Berlin, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Santa Cecilia Orchestra of Rome and the Rotterdam Philharmonic, among others. A popular guest conductor in North America as well, Mr. Robertson regularly guest conducts the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony. Mr. Robertson also enjoys success in the operatic arena. With over 45 operas in his repertoire, Mr. Robertson counts among his opera house credits the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Opera de Lyon, Bayerische Staatsoper, Paris' Ch�telet, Hamburg State Opera and the San Francisco Opera.

As a recording artist, Mr. Robertson has made numerous recordings for the Sony Classical, Naive, EMI/Virgin Classics, Atlantic/Erato, Nuema, Ades Valois and Naxos labels. His recordings include works by such composers as Adams, Bart�k, Boulez, Carter, Dusapin, Ginastera, Lalo, Milhaud, Reich, Saint-Sa�ns, and Silvestrov.

A champion of young musicians, David Robertson has throughout his career continually devoted time to work with students and young artists. In addition to creating and leading many outreach programs with the Ensemble Intercontemporain and the Orchestre National de Lyon, he has worked with students at the Paris Conservatory, the Juilliard School, Tanglewood and the Aspen Music Festival.

Born in Santa Monica, California, Mr. Robertson was educated at London's Royal Academy of Music, where he studied French horn and composition before turning to orchestral conducting. Musical America named him Conductor of the Year for 2000. In 1997, Mr. Robertson was named a recipient of the Seaver/National Endowment for the Arts Conductors Award, the premier prize of its kind, given to exceptionally gifted American conductors. He has two teenage sons and is married to pianist Orli Shaham.

For additional materials, please contact [email protected]. #J05