New World Symphony announces first full season with new artistic director

French conductor Stéphane Denève will make his debut as artistic director of Florida’s New World Symphony (NWS) this Saturday ahead of the September launch of the orchestra’s 2023-24 season. Denève succeeds founding artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas who announced last year he would step down from the role due to a brain cancer diagnosis.

Only the second person to hold this position in the orchestra’s 35-year history, Denève will take up his new role with a special debut concert on 8 April while co-founder Tilson Thomas will retain creative influence in his new role as artistic director laureate, returning to conduct the orchestra in performances throughout the season.

Denève said: ‘New World Symphony is a remarkable and absolutely unique institution, thanks to the talented Fellows and the inspiration of its co-founder and guiding soul, Michael Tilson Thomas. The entire music world treasures what he has created and I’m totally galvanized by his formidable legacy.’

NWS operates a fellowship program offering musicians a course of performance and instructional activities designed to ‘expand their musical and professional horizons’. Denève embraces the orchestra’s educational goals in the upcoming season, leading the Fellows in eight concerts as well as offering guidance behind the scenes.

Tilson Thomas will also support the Fellows with mentorship as well as leading them in performances throughout the 2023-24 season. Tilson Thomas will present varied programmes of work by many of his favourite composers, as well as in a performance of his own work Agnegram. He continues to support the orchestra’s education and outreach goals next year, conducting NWS’s annual Side-by-Side Concert during which young instrumentalists (grades 7-12) will perform alongside the New World Symphony Fellows.

Later this year (November 17 and 18) the NWS Fellows will join forces with The Cleveland Orchestra for a joint performance of Richard Strauss’ Alpine Symphony, featuring over 120 musicians. The orchestra will also celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the New World Centre, the Adrienne Arsht Centre and within the orchestra’s Miami community as well as teaming up with neuroscientist Dr Indre Viskontas and conductor Edwin Outwater in a concert exploring music and the senses.

Looking forward to this upcoming season, Denève said: ‘Between myself, Michael Tilson Thomas and all the wonderful guest artists who will join us this season, New World Symphony is covering every facet of classical music one could hope for… Classical music is thriving in Miami! And we’re making sure it’s available to anyone who wants to experience it –and even surprise some of those who don’t know it yet…’

Subscriptions to NWS’s 2023-24 season are available on 19 April with single tickets available on 5 September.