ESO Appoints New Concertmaster for 2013/14 Season

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra appoints new Concertmaster for 2013-2014 Season

Robert Uchida will debut at Symphony Under the Sky 2013

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) welcomes Robert Uchida as the new Concertmaster for the 2013 – 2014 Season. He comes to the ESO from Symphony Nova Scotia, where he spent the last seven seasons as Concertmaster.

“I am very excited to be joining the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster,” says Robert. “Working with Bill Eddins and the wonderful musicians of the ESO, while playing the great symphonic repertoire in the world class Francis Winspear Centre for Music is something that I am thrilled to be a part of.”

Prior to joining Symphony Nova Scotia, Robert performed as Associate Concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic in the Netherlands, and he has also acted as Guest Concertmaster for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and the Radio Chamber Philharmonic of the Netherlands.

Uchida was the ESO’s guest concertmaster four times in September and November 2012 as part of his audition for the position. “When I sat down for the first time with the ESO, it felt like I had been playing there for years,” recalls Robert.

ESO Music Director Bill Eddins believes he will be a wonderful addition to the orchestra. “He is an excellent musician and has had many years experience as a Concertmaster,” says Eddins. “In addition his passion for chamber music and solo literature makes him a well-rounded musician.”

“I think it’s a very fine orchestra, certainly one of the finest in the country,” says Robert of the ESO. “One of my biggest attractions to it was that it’s a bigger orchestra and they play the gamut of the symphonic repertoire. Their approach to music is lovely.”

Robert will complete the current season with Symphony Nova Scotia. His first concert as Concertmaster will be on August 30, 2013 as part of Symphony Under the Sky.