Dutch conductor Edo De Waart today announced his retirement following a 60-year international career, including leading the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, among others. De Waart is known for his proficiency in Bruckner and Mahler, as well as for championing contemporary music, notably the works of John Adams, whose minimalist compositions “Harmonium,” “Shaker Loops,” and the opera “Nixon In China” De Waart recorded in the 1980s.
Why it matters:
- Legacy in Orchestral World: De Waart’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable 60-year career during which he held significant positions in orchestras across the globe, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence and leadership that influenced countless musicians and audiences worldwide.
- Advocacy for Contemporary Music: De Waart’s dedication to contemporary music and his efforts to fortify and refine orchestras like the Netherlands RPO have had a lasting impact on the orchestral world, fostering appreciation and exploration of new musical expressions while maintaining reverence for the standard repertoire.
