PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 100th season with a family reunion of sorts. The four conductors who have guided the PSO over the past half-century returned to Maine not just to socialize and celebrate, but to conduct.
Bruce Hangen became conductor and musical director of the PSO in 1976, followed by Toshiyuki Shimada in 1986, Robert Moody in 2008, and Eckart Preu in 2019. On Tuesday, Hangen, Shimada, and Preu will share the job of conducting a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Moody took part in the PSO's concert yesterday, but has an excellent reason for missing tomorrow's. He’ll be working with acclaimed opera singer Renee Fleming.
What's it like for these conductors to step back onto the stage at Merrill Auditorium and pick up a baton? And of all their memories of Maine, what stands out the most?
Watch our conversation to find out.