Conductor Otto Tausk Extends Contract at the Vancouver Symphony

The Dutch conductor will continue until at least the 2029/30 season

 

The Dutch conductor Otto Tausk has extended his contract at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), and will remain as their Music Director until the end of the 2029/30 season. Tausk was first appointed to the position in 2018.

During his time with the VSO, Tausk has re-imagined the orchestra's digital performance series — as well as introduced Canadian contemporary music to the VSO's repertoire. Under his direction, the orchestra has given performances of five works by indigenous composers.

Tausk is also presently Chief Conductor of Phion Orkest van Gelderland & Overijssel, and until spring 2018 was Music Director of the Opera Theatre and Tonhalle Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen.

As guest conductor, Tausk has appeared with the Concertgebouworkest, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Mariinsky Orchestra, the orchestras of Perth, Tasmania, Auckland, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

"Since 2018, Maestro Tausk has demonstrated his deep commitment to the musicians of the VSO and our audiences across the Lower Mainland," said Angela Elster, President & CEO of the VSO. "I look forward to another six seasons of collaborating with Otto to bring our community together through the power of music, and building on our current momentum."

"One of my goals at the VSO has been to make the orchestra renowned for its sense of curiosity," Tausk said. "I feel so lucky, grateful, and honored to be a part of this ever growing, amazing orchestra and school of music. We ave achieved so much together already, but I’m determined to raise the artistic bar even higher to create irresistible musical experiences that connect with our audiences across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland."