Neeme Järvi
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Neeme Järvi (IPA: ['neːme 'jærvi]) (b. June 7, 1937) is an Estonian-American conductor.
Neeme Järvi was born in Tallinn and studied first there and then in Leningrad under Evgeny Mravinsky, among others. Early in his career, he held posts with the Estonian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian State Symphony Orchestra and the Opera in Tallinn. In 1971 he won first prize in the International Conductors Competition at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
Järvi emigrated to the United States in 1980 and became an American citizen in 1987. In 1982, he became the principal conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony, and during his tenure, the recording profile and reputation of the orchestra greatly increased. As well, he helped to secure corporate sponsorship from Volvo that allowed the orchestra to increase in size from 80 to 110 players.[1] He retained his post in Gothenburg until 2004.
Järvi was also Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1990 until 2005, and is now its Music Director Emeritus. In November, 1996, Jarvi conducted a joint concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic in Camden NJ, to raise funds for the Philadelphia Orchestra, which was in the midst of a bitter strike. It was a courageous gesture that endeared him to musicians worldwide but is widely thought to have cost him engagements with many of the world's leading orchestras.[citation needed]
Järvi became Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) in 2005, with an initial 3-year contract. With the 2007 decision by the NJSO to sell its "Golden Age" collection of string instruments, there was press speculation as to whether Järvi would renew his contract with the NJSO, as he stated that their acquisition of this collection was an important factor in his decision to accept the music directorship. When asked about the possibility of leaving after 2008, he stated: "It's very possible, but I haven't thought about it yet."[2] In October 2007, the NJSO announced that Järvi had extended his contract as music director through the 2008-2009 season.[3] In February 2008, the orchestra announced that Järvi would conclude his tenure as the NJSO's music director at the end of the 2008-2009 season.[4]
In addition to his American post, Järvi is Chief Conductor of Het Residentie Orkest of The Hague, since September 2005, with an initial contract of 4 years.[5] In February 2008, the Residentie Orchestra announced the extension of Järvi's contract as Chief Conductor through 2011.
Järvi's discography includes over 350 recordings for labels such as BIS, Chandos and Deutsche Grammophon. He is best known for his interpretations of Romantic and 20th century classical music, and he has championed the work of his fellow Estonians Eduard Tubin and Arvo Pärt (whose Credo he premiered in 1968). His interpretations of Jean Sibelius with the Gothenburg Symphony are also well known. He has also recorded several works that have rarely been recorded in their complete form - among them all of Edvard Grieg's orchestral music, including the complete incidental music for Peer Gynt, as well as Tchaikovsky's complete incidental music for Alexandr Ostrovsky's play Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden), and all three of Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonies. In addition, he has helped in fund-raising for the Estonian Academy of Music, which opened in September 2000.[6]
Neeme Järvi has an annual master class (called Neeme Järvi Summer Academy) in the Estonian city Pärnu during the David Oistrakh festival.
He and his wife Liilia have three children, the conductors Paavo Järvi and Kristjan Järvi, and flautist Maarika Järvi.
[edit] References
- ^ Tim Ashley, "North stars". The Guardian, 27 July 2001.
- ^ Peggy McGlone, "NJSO giving up prized strings". The Star-Ledger, 9 March 2007.
- ^ Bradley Bambarger, "NJSO plays it safe on opening night". The Star-Ledger, 15 October 2007.
- ^ Bradley Bambarger. "New Jersey Symphony announces 2008-2009 season", Star-Ledger, 13 February 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ Ben Mattison, "Hague Residentie Orchestra Names Neeme Järvi to Principal Conductor Post". Playbill Arts, 22 March 2005.
- ^ Hilary Finch, "Giving them some stick". The Times, 19 January 2004.
[edit] External links
- Neeme Järvi official website
- Neeme Järvi at Allmusic
- NJN - New Jersey Public Television and Radio
- David Oistrakh festival
- Residentie Orchestra announcement, 28 February 2008, of Järvi's contract extension (Dutch language announcement)
| Preceded by Zdenek Macal |
Music Director, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra 2005–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
| Preceded by Jaap van Zweden |
Chief Conductor, Het Residentie Orkest 2005–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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