“In 2018 the musical world outside Orange County experienced something that local classical music patrons have been well acquainted with for decades: the strengths and passions of Pacific Symphony music director Carl St.Clair,” writes Christopher Smith in last Wednesday’s (12/26) Orange County Register (CA), in an article about Orange County’s 100 most influential people. “In the space of less than a month, St.Clair and his musicians … debuted at Carnegie Hall in New York and then toured China for the first time with five stops.… St.Clair, 66, especially relished the Carnegie Hall performance, which capped a year-long celebration of composer Philip Glass’ 80th birthday. The Pacific Symphony was invited to perform ‘The Passion of Ramakrishna,’ a work by Glass that the symphony commissioned in 2006…. This was a watershed year for both the conductor and symphony on a number of other fronts. In its 40th year, the orchestra finally achieved a long-term contract with its musicians, establishing a 10.4 percent wage increase over five years and a guaranteed number of rehearsals and performances each season…. St.Clair won’t be resting on his laurels. The 2019-2020 season will see the orchestra’s music director celebrate his 30th anniversary at the helm.”
Posted January 3, 2019
