Comissiona, Sergiu
Sergiu Comissiona is renowned throughout the world as one of the most dynamic, sensitive and experienced conductors of our time. A major podium figure in more than twenty-five countries, Maestro Comissiona has led virtually all of the world’s major symphonic ensembles in performances that have been acclaimed for their rare combination of musical insight and orchestral discipline. Known for his colourful and idiomatic interpretations, Sergiu Comissiona now holds numerous important musical posts: Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; Chief Conductor of Madrid’s Orquesta Sinfonica de R.T.V.E.; Conductor Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the Jerusalem Symphony; and Music Director of the Asian Youth Orchestra.
Maestro Comissiona has been with the Vancouver Symphony since the 1991/92 Season and has been hailed as the best thing to happen to Vancouver’s musical life in a generation. His reputation as an orchestra builder has been proven once again by his work with the Vancouver ensemble. In the fall of 1996 Sergiu Comissiona renewed his commitment with the Vancouver Symphony through the year 2000.
He is Concurrently: Chief Conductor of Madrid’s Orquestra Sinfonica and Chief Conductor of Madrid’s Orquestra Sinfonica de R.T.V.E. is marked by extraordinary critical praise and devoted audience support. Commenting on a recent performance of Mahler’s monumental Third Symphony, the Madrid’s journal ABC marveled:
“A decisive artist, Sergiu Comissiona was much more than a faithful interpreter of the work; he knew how to give it purpose, richness, meaning and at just the right moments a spaciousness and emotional grandeur in the phrasing.” (October 15, 1994).
His 18 years as Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony were marked by innovative programming, compelling performances, and enthusiastic audience response. A highly popular figure in Baltimore to this day, Maestro Comissiona is now Conductor Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Until the 1995/96 season Comissiona was Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and from 1978 to 1982 he was Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra. Previous music directorships include the Haifa Symphony in Israel, Houston Symphony, the Göthenberg Orchestra of Göthenborg, Sweden, and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of Hilversum in the Netherlands.
As one of the world’s leading conductors, Maestro Comissiona has conducted the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Symphony, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the San Francisco Symphony. In addition to regular appearances at the world’s most
