Gemma New begins her fourth and final season as Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with a dream concert series featuring The planets by Gustav Holst, from September 15 to 17 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Dallas Arts District.

New made her debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in fall 2019. In November 2019, she participated in the orchestra’s first annual Women in Classical Music Symposium, taking part in a panel discussion on issues important to working women. in the music industry.

This year marks a new chapter in the career of the New Zealand-born conductor, having been appointed Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO). The 2022-2023 season is New’s eighth season as Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) in Ontario. She received the 2021 Sir Georg Solti Directing Award.

The concert opens with What keeps me awake by Angélica Negrón, composer in residence of the orchestra. Pianist Olga Kern will perform Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini with the orchestra. Holst’s The planets concludes the performance, with the women of the Dallas Symphony Chorus contributing to the sequel’s quiet, otherworldly conclusion.

New discussions about the concert series, his time in Dallas and his future.

BNC DFW: What excites you the most about this upcoming program? How do the works of Negron, Rachmaninoff and Holst complement each other?

Gem New: There is something for everyone in this program! Much of this program is inspired by wondrous dreams and mysteries. We first encounter the buzzing, atmospheric Negron, inspired by the creative thoughts swirling in the composer’s head as she falls asleep. The Rachmaninoff has the perfect blend of snazzy entertainment and romantic song. And the Holst planets approach popular song and dance, as well as the character of each planet in its sound universes.

BNC DFW: Holst’s The planets is famous. Do you have a favorite planet (musically speaking)?

LARP: Honestly, I love every planet! Maybe Jupiter is my favorite. Each idea is so warm, positive and enveloping.

BNC DFW: Since your time at the DSO, how do you think you have evolved or changed as a conductor?

LARP: One of the best things about this career path is that we can constantly challenge, experiment, and grow. Work with the DSO on a repertoire as rich and vibrant as that of Debussy The seaSymphonic Dances by Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet — and this year we’re playing Holst’s The planets and Stravinsky Rite of Spring together – these are experiences that I take with me to the next performance of the play.

BNC DFW: What did you like the most about your stay in Dallas?

LARP: I loved working with the orchestra in such an inspiring space with an enthusiastic audience.

NBC DFW: When you arrived at the DSO, you took part in the orchestra’s first Women in Classical Music symposium. How do you think the industry has changed for women over the past few years?

LARP: I think it becomes much more normal to have a woman on the podium. I hope this will become common in the future.

Sylvia Elzafon

BNC DFW: After this last season with the DSO, what does the future hold for you?

LARP: I enjoyed working with the DSO so much, and I’m sure we’ll see each other again in the future. I am enjoying a busy career with my new position at the NZSO, continuing my work with the HPO in Canada and as a frequent guest conductor in North America and Europe. I hope to conduct a lot more opera and look forward to doing more work in this area.

Learn more: Dallas Symphony Orchestra