Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Announces New Artistic Partner

Gábor Takács-Nagy will step into the role for a three-year term

The Hungarian conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy has recently been appointed as the new Artistic Partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO). He will serve an initial three-term tenure, beginning at the opening of the 2024/25 season.

The appointment follows the departure of previous SPCO Artistic Director Kyu-Young Kim, who cited "recent organizational decisions and shifts in priorities" as the primary factor in the decision. However, Kim will remain in the position of Principal Violin.

In May 2024, SPCO players tabled a vote of no confidence in Jon Limbacher, the orchestra's Managing Director. According to SPCO violinist Daria T. Adams, Limbacher proposed a significant reduction in the orchestra's annual working weeks, from 35 to 19. Adams added that Kim's resignation had been "the last straw" in the decision-making process.

Takács-Nagy joins a roster of SPCO Artistic Partners that includes the British Baroque specialist Richard Egarr, South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, and German violist Tabea Zimmermann.

A founding member of the Takács Quartet, Takács-Nagy is presently Music Director of the Manchester Camerata and Principal Guest Conductor of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. He began his conducting career in 2007 as Music Director of the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra.

"The SPCO is so fortunate and excited to welcome Gábor Takács-Nagy as a new Artistic Partner," said Principal Oboe Cassie Pilgrim. "The energy and emotion that is generated when we work with Gábor is palpable, and it feels certain that there are some legendary performances to come."

"For me, music is a spiritual medicine which gives mental energy as well," Takács-Nagy said. "We musicians are lifting ourselves and our listeners into a higher sphere where honesty, friendship and love all prevail. I am very much looking forward to sharing these feelings with our public in company of my friends, the brilliant SPCO."

"From his very first concert with the SPCO, Gábor formed a strong bond with our community," said Jon Limbacher, the SPCO's Managing Director and President Jon Limbacher. "Our audience immediately appreciated his extraordinary artistry, profound humanity and his deep connection with the Orchestra. We are so thrilled that Gábor will join the SPCO as an Artistic Partner and look forward to the many amazing concerts this partnership will produce.”