Meet the Music Director
Meet the Musicians
Meet the Artistic Advisor
Joseph Silverstein
Instrument: Conductor and Violin
Renowned conductor and violinist Joseph Silverstein is Artistic Advisor for the PSO's 2007-2008 season. In this capacity, Maestro Silverstein will consult with the PSO on programming, performers and artistic policy as the PSO concludes its search for a Music Director. Silverstein will also conduct the orchestra in up to four performances during the 2007-2008 season.
Violinist and conductor Joseph Silverstein, widely regarded as one of Boston's most influential musical citizens while serving as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the orchestras at New England Conservatory. Awarded an honorary doctorate by NEC in 1986, Silverstein, 73, is currently Principal Guest Conductor of Seattle's Northwest Chamber Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Utah Symphony. Much sought after as a consultant to orchestras, Silverstein has served as artistic advisor to the Hartford, Kansas City, Louisville, Baltimore, Toledo, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Winnipeg and Oakland symphonies.
"This is a pivotal time in the history of the Portland Symphony, and artistic leadership and continuity are critical ingredients," says Ari Solotoff, PSO Executive Director. "Joseph Silverstein's capable guidance will literally help us 'set the stage' for a new Music Director."
"We're thrilled to have a musician the caliber of Maestro Silverstein providing artistic leadership during our search," adds Gordon Gayer, chair of the Music Director Search Committee. "His years of experience, both as Music Director and as Artistic Advisor to other orchestras, will be invaluable in maintaining the consistency and excellence for which our orchestra has become known."
"I have known the PSO both as soloist and conductor for many years," stated Silverstein. "I have watched its development as an artistic entity with great pleasure, and I'm delighted to be able to assist the orchestra during this transitional period which I hope will be the prelude to an exciting new era for Portland."
"Joseph Silverstein's skills as a violinist, pedagogue, and conductor are tremendous, and recognized no more highly than by the musicians in New England who have known him for decades," said Concertmaster Charles Dimmick on behalf of his colleagues, "The Portland Symphony has reached a moment of great opportunity and growth, and I can think of no better musician to guide us through this exciting time than Mr. Silverstein."
Joseph Silverstein's history with the Portland Symphony Orchestra goes back over 20 years, having performed as soloist under Paul Vermel and Bruce Hangen, and having conducted the orchestra, most recently in February 2001.
Born in Detroit, Joseph Silverstein began studying violin with his father Bernard who was a music instructor in Detroit's public schools. He went on for formal training to the Curtis Institute where his teachers included three from the pantheon of violin pedagogues-Josef Gingold, Mischa Mischakoff and Efrem Zimbalist. After leaving Curtis in 1950, he spent three seasons with the Houston Symphony, one with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and one year as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Denver Symphony. In 1959, he was the silver medalist in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium competition and also won the Walter W. Naumburg Award in 1960.
Violinist and conductor Joseph Silverstein, widely regarded as one of Boston's most influential musical citizens while serving as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the orchestras at New England Conservatory. Awarded an honorary doctorate by NEC in 1986, Silverstein, 73, is currently Principal Guest Conductor of Seattle's Northwest Chamber Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Utah Symphony. Much sought after as a consultant to orchestras, Silverstein has served as artistic advisor to the Hartford, Kansas City, Louisville, Baltimore, Toledo, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Winnipeg and Oakland symphonies.
"This is a pivotal time in the history of the Portland Symphony, and artistic leadership and continuity are critical ingredients," says Ari Solotoff, PSO Executive Director. "Joseph Silverstein's capable guidance will literally help us 'set the stage' for a new Music Director."
"We're thrilled to have a musician the caliber of Maestro Silverstein providing artistic leadership during our search," adds Gordon Gayer, chair of the Music Director Search Committee. "His years of experience, both as Music Director and as Artistic Advisor to other orchestras, will be invaluable in maintaining the consistency and excellence for which our orchestra has become known."
"I have known the PSO both as soloist and conductor for many years," stated Silverstein. "I have watched its development as an artistic entity with great pleasure, and I'm delighted to be able to assist the orchestra during this transitional period which I hope will be the prelude to an exciting new era for Portland."
"Joseph Silverstein's skills as a violinist, pedagogue, and conductor are tremendous, and recognized no more highly than by the musicians in New England who have known him for decades," said Concertmaster Charles Dimmick on behalf of his colleagues, "The Portland Symphony has reached a moment of great opportunity and growth, and I can think of no better musician to guide us through this exciting time than Mr. Silverstein."
Joseph Silverstein's history with the Portland Symphony Orchestra goes back over 20 years, having performed as soloist under Paul Vermel and Bruce Hangen, and having conducted the orchestra, most recently in February 2001.
Born in Detroit, Joseph Silverstein began studying violin with his father Bernard who was a music instructor in Detroit's public schools. He went on for formal training to the Curtis Institute where his teachers included three from the pantheon of violin pedagogues-Josef Gingold, Mischa Mischakoff and Efrem Zimbalist. After leaving Curtis in 1950, he spent three seasons with the Houston Symphony, one with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and one year as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Denver Symphony. In 1959, he was the silver medalist in the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium competition and also won the Walter W. Naumburg Award in 1960.
