Leonard Slatkin. Photo courtesy of Nashville Symphony.
In Wednesday’s (2/11) Nashville Scene, Stephen Trageser writes, “The Nashville Symphony … has announced its next music director. Revered conductor Leonard Slatkin—who served the ensemble in a related role as music advisor from 2006 to 2009 and again in 2025 following Giancarlo Guerrero’s departure—will take the podium for the 2026 season through 2029. Slatkin’s run as music advisor in the Aughts coincided with the opening of the Schermerhorn [Symphony Center] … His upcoming tenure will coincide with 80th anniversary celebrations for the orchestra and 20th anniversary celebrations for the symphony center. He’s set to conduct six of the 14 concerts in the ensemble’s Classical Series during the 2026-2027 season that begins in the late summer…. Slatkin says in a release, ‘This three-year term will be the start of a new chapter for the Nashville Symphony. I will work closely with everyone to help develop a framework for the future….’ ‘This appointment gives our orchestra exactly what we need right now: experienced leadership, artistic momentum and someone who understands our organization and community,’ says concertmaster Peter Otto in the same release.” Slatkin has served as music director for several major American orchestras.
