Stéphane Denève: Globally famed artistic director of New World Symphony

Considered to be one of the great conductors of our time, Stéphane Denève has been leading major US and European orchestras and, for over a year, he has been directing the New World Symphony Orchestra to new innovative heights.

Recognized internationally for the quality of his performances and programming, Mr. Denève regularly appears at major concert venues with the world’s greatest orchestras and soloists. He has a special affinity for the music of his native France and is a passionate advocate for the music of the 21st century.

Still living in St. Louis, MO, he is the music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and he recently concluded terms as principal guest conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra and chief conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic, and previously served as chief conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR) and music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

He made his US debut at Carnegie Hall in New York with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 

Mr. Denève also regularly conducts the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and is now the artistic director for the New World Symphony.

In 2022, he was the conductor of John Williams’ official 90th Birthday Gala with NSO Washington. He is also a popular guest at many of the US summer music festivals, including the Hollywood Bowl, Bravo! Vail, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Blossom Music Festival, Festival Napa Valley, Grand Teton Music Festival and Music Academy of the West.

In the field of opera, he led a production of Pelléas et Mélisande with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Netherlands Opera at the 2019 Holland Festival. Elsewhere, he has led productions at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra National de Paris, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Saito Kinen Festival, Gran Teatro del Liceu, La Monnaie and Deutsche Oper am Rhein.

As a recording artist, he has won critical acclaim for his recordings of the works of Poulenc, Debussy, Ravel, Roussel, Franck and Connesson. He is a triple winner of the Diapason d’Or of the Year, has been shortlisted for Gramophone’s Artist of the Year Award, and has won the prize for symphonic music at the International Classical Music Awards. 

A graduate and prize-winner of the Paris Conservatoire, a gifted communicator and educator, Mr. Denève said he is committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians and listeners and has worked regularly with young people in programs like the New World Symphony. 

“The New World Symphony, for over 35 years, has been at the forefront of musical education and has built a groundbreaking tradition of reimagining the future of our art form, pushing boundaries with passion, curiosity and open-mindedness,” he said. “It’s my mission to continue the inspired dream.”

Mr. Denève spoke with Miami Today Reporter Abraham Galvan.

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