Conductor Bignamini formed instant bond with Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Much is made of the special chemistry that exists between a great symphony orchestra and its conductor. Often, the decision to hire a new conductor happens very fast when that bond that instantly develops.
That was the case with Italian conductor Jader Bignamini and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Bignamini, whose first name is pronounced Yahder, smiled on a recent Zoom call when he remembered the early days when he first conducted the DSO in 2018.
“I conducted a concert version of the opera “Turandot”, and it was amazing," Bignamini said. "There was a real charisma between all of us. Later I came back to conduct Mahler’s 4th symphony. They were both very good concerts. I seemed to understand the musicians – that they wanted to make beautiful music and they wanted to play better and better.”
Soon after the Mahler concert, Bignamini was offered a six-year contract in 2020 as the DSO's music director.
The Detroit Free Press says about Bignamini, “… his upbeat energy and artistic acumen have galvanized musicians and audiences since his arrival in 2020.”
Bignamini and the DSO will be presenting a concert at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Wharton Center Great Hall. It will be the DSO's first concert at Wharton in more than a decade.
In December, Bignamini, 47, and the DSO signed a five-year extension to his original contract that will run through the end of the 2030-31 season.
When Bignamini first came to Detroit, he was gaining an impressive reputation as a guest conductor for orchestras throughout the world, but he had never before sat at the helm of an orchestra – having the title of a music director.
Although Bignamini speaks Italian and French, he usually speaks to orchestras, no matter where they are located, in English.
“I have to understand what they need and what they are missing," said Bignamini, who was originally a clarinet player (as is his wife).
Over the past several years, the DSO has endured difficult times – labor strikes, conductor changes, finances and, of course, the pandemic. But the orchestra's current magnetic maestro has pulled things together.
“I’m very pleased with the improvement of the orchestra," Bignamini said. "It’s very professional but also very relaxed. Also, many of the older musicians retired and we have hired many younger musicians. Now we have a great mix of young and old and they love to make great music together. I love the Detroit audiences who really appreciate what’s going on.
“The orchestra is improving constantly. The soloists and guest conductors who appear with the DSO all want to come back after they perform with the orchestra. They feel the difference.”
Bignamini also loves the acoustics of the beautifully restored Orchestra Hall in Detroit.
“I find the hall and the musicians to be very warm," he said. "I also enjoy the jazz series, pops concerts and other concerts they play. I appreciate how they have welcomed me.”
In addition to the 12 weeks of concerts Bignamini performs with orchestra during the season, he also is conductor of the DSO during a residency at the Interlochen Center for the Arts near Traverse City.
“I love it up there,” said Bignamini, whose family still lives in Cremona, Italy.
Bignamini's schedule still allows him to continue his international guest conducting schedule, which he said he enjoys.
“Conducting an orchestra as a guest conductor is like a first date," he said. "They’re studying me and I am studying them. I have to communicate with the musicians and share my knowledge of the music and how I want it to sound.”
IF YOU GO
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Jader Bignamini, music director and conductor
Mozart: Symphony No 41, “Jupiter”
Astor Piazzolla: “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Michael Abels: “More Seasons”
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2
Where: Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall
Tickets: From $25, whartoncenter.com, 517 432 2000 or 1800 WHARTON
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Conductor Jader Bignamini was easy fit with Detroit Symphony Orchestra
