Manchester Camerata signs Gˆ°bor Takˆ°cs-Nagy as its new Music Director

Manchester Camerata has appointed the great Hungarian musician Gˆ°bor Takˆ°cs-Nagy as its new Music Director.  Internationally known as a chamber music player and a founding member of the Takˆ°cs Quartet, Gˆ°bor is now establishing a formidable reputation for himself as a conductor. The fact that he will be pursuing the next phase of his career in Manchester is a real coup for the orchestra and for the city. Gˆ°bor will take over from Douglas Boyd as Music Director in September 2011.

Building on the success of the Boyd/Camerata era, Gˆ°bor will work closely with this leading chamber orchestra which is full of Mancunian energy, humour and creativity.  This new partnership promises to be quite exceptional. It is a partnership which will not only benefit the orchestra and its audiences but will reinforce the international dimension of Manchester’Äôs cultural life too.

Beyond the natural creative chemistry which exists between the Camerata musicians and their new music director, the appointment also represents something of a homecoming for Gabor and his wife, who is originally from Burnley, Lancashire.

Gˆ°bor’Äôs conducting career began in 2005. He now holds posts at the MAV symphony orchestra in Budapest, the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra, and will appear as guest conductor with the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Forthcoming highlights include concerts with Martha Argerich and a tour with the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra.

Speaking about his Manchester Camerata appointment, Gˆ°bor said:

’ÄúTo find such a wonderful group of artists such as Camerata, such warm audiences as those in Manchester, is a joy. I look forward to many years of making and sharing music in your great city.’Äù

Announcing the appointment, Manchester Camerata Board and CEO Bob Riley stated:

’ÄúWe have been fortunate to work with Dougie Boyd for 10 years, during which the orchestra has achieved some remarkable things. We are more fortunate still that this work can be continued with such a musician as Gˆ°bor. Orchestra member musicians were involved in the process leading to his appointment and so we look forward with certainty to the flourishing of this musical relationship. It is with great excitement that we look ahead to Manchester Camerata’Äôs future, both nationally and internationally.’Äù

Welcoming the appointment of his successor, Douglas Boyd said:

"Manchester Camerata has been a huge part of my life for the last 9 years.  I have been so fortunate to make music with such a dedicated group of musicians. My dream has always been, at some stage, to hand the baton on to a wonderful musician who can inspire the orchestra and continue to develop this dynamic organisation. I am delighted that the orchestra and Gˆ°bor have found each other. I am absolutely sure that together they will forge an exciting future for Manchester Camerata."