A conversation with the RPO's new maestro

Posted at: 09/23/2011 11:06 AM | Updated at: 09/23/2011 8:20 PM
By: Janet Lomax | WHEC.com

There is a new music conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Arild Remmereit begins his inaugural season September 30.

A native of Norway, Remmereit has conducted all over the world but now he's thrilled to call Rochester home.

He played piano at six, then the trumpet. As a teen, he really wanted to be a pop star. “The honest truth is that my absolute passion and love for music comes from the moment when I finally after some struggle was allowed by my parents to buy myself an electric guitar and a pair of those platform shoes.”

He's still on a platform, just a different kind when he steps up as maestro of the RPO. The official announcement came a year ago. He thinks highly of the musicians he'll work with. “I think we had a very positive take off a lot of positive energy between the orchestra and myself. This is a very positive orchestra in addition being a very good orchestra.”

He's researched Rochester’s rich history. He will feature female composers in each of his concerts -- in honor of women like Susan B. Anthony. “I’m trying on many levels to reach out to the community from a different perspective. I try to involve themes in the season that will interest a person for other reasons even than the pure musical reasons.”

He's feeling blessed with a new job and a new home with his wife and infant son. “I’m a very inspired father. I need say no more. It’s all new for me and we are blessed with a healthy son and we are blessed to be in Rochester.”

For more information on the RPO’s new season with its new music director, click here.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

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