Symphony hires 4 concertmasters

Although no other U.S. orchestras employ more than one concertmaster, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra announced Thursday that it has hired four for its new season, starting Sept. 24.

Concertmasters are the liaison between orchestra musicians and the music director. They are violinists who focus the string section, and their authority over the orchestra as a whole is second only to the music director.

"There's no such thing as four (concertmasters) at one symphony in the U.S. or even two," said Gerard Schwarz, SSO music director. "In Europe, it's the opposite. I can't think of a major European orchestra with a single concertmaster. The difference comes down to tradition, and orchestras are very traditional. I like to think in Seattle we are willing to be less traditional when it matters. This model is right for us. I think it's going to be sensational artistically."

The four are Frank Almond, who is also concertmaster at the Milwaukee Symphony; Emmanuelle Boisvert, concertmaster at the Detroit Symphony; Ani Kavafian, solo violinist and music professor at Yale University and Maria Larionoff.

Larionoff is a Seattle Symphony violinist who has served as acting concertmaster since Ilka Talvi was fired three years ago. He sued for breach of contract and the case was settled out of court.

Schwarz said he didn't believe working with four different part-time concertmasters would be confusing for an orchestra used to working with one.

"They (concertmasters) all play in a similar style, and they're all great," Schwarz said. "I think it will be refreshing. I'm the constant at the orchestra. I live here, I'm the leader, and I participate in the cultural life of our community."

Schwarz has been the leader for 23 years, and his contract runs until 2011. That's another unusual thing about the Seattle Symphony, Schwarz said. Although music directors used to serve for decades, most major orchestras now change them at least every 10 years.

Schwarz believes his long reign provides stability, but he added resentments can grow under one leader over time.

"That's why we bring in guest conductors," he said, "to keep the music director fresh."

Last year, the symphony reported an accumulated $3.2 million deficit. In June, it announced a balanced budget of $22.5 million, the largest of any performing arts organization in the Northwest. In 2006, the symphony did not make payments to the musicians' pension plan, $1.154 million annually. SSO says the payments are deferred, but will be paid.

"The symphony is as strong now as it has ever been," Schwarz said. "With 92 musicians, we have no weaknesses."

SSO'S GANG OF FOUR

FRANK ALMOND

Also concertmaster, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Formerly concertmaster, Rotterdam Philharmonic and London Philharmonic. Holds two degrees from The Juilliard School. Directs the Frankly Music Chamber Series in Milwaukee.

EMMANUELLE BOISVERT

Also concertmaster, Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Was 25 when she became the first woman to become concertmaster of a major U.S. orchestra. Studied at Meadowmount School of Music and Curtis Institute of Music.

ANI KAVAFIAN

Prominent soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Has performed with virtually all of America's leading orchestras. Holds master's degree from Juilliard, is on the faculties of Yale and SUNY-Stony Brook.

MARIA LARIONOFF

Seattle resident, Juilliard graduate and acting concertmaster of Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Co-founder with her husband, University of Washington double bassist Barry Lieberman, of the American String Project, a conductorless string orchestra.