Gustavo Gimeno facts for kids
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Gustavo Gimeno was born in 1976 in Valencia, Spain. He is a famous Spanish conductor. A conductor is someone who leads an orchestra or choir. Gustavo currently leads two big orchestras. He is the chief conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Contents
Gustavo Gimeno's Life Story
Early Life and Musical Training
Gustavo grew up in a musical family. His father played the clarinet. Gustavo started learning music when he was young. He studied percussion, which means playing drums and other instruments you hit. He also learned to play the piano. His older brother played the clarinet and violin.
In 2001, Gustavo joined the percussion section of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (KCO). This is a very famous orchestra. In April 2002, he became the main percussionist for the KCO.
While working with the KCO, Gustavo kept studying music. He went to the Amsterdam Conservatory to learn more about conducting. Famous conductors like Mariss Jansons, Claudio Abbado, and Bernard Haitink helped him. They taught him a lot about leading an orchestra. He even became an assistant conductor to Mariss Jansons.
Becoming a Conductor
Gustavo gained more experience by leading other orchestras in Amsterdam. From 2009 to 2012, he was the main conductor for the Amsterdams Symphonie Orkest Con Brio. Then, from 2012 to 2013, he led Het Orkest Amsterdam.
In 2013, Gustavo decided to focus only on conducting. He left his job as a percussionist. He became well-known around the world in 2014. This happened when he stepped in to conduct the KCO at the last minute. He filled in for Mariss Jansons.
Leading Major Orchestras
Gustavo became the main conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra (OPL) in 2015. This was his first full-time job leading an orchestra. He signed a contract for four years. In 2017, the OPL asked him to stay longer, until 2022. Gustavo has made several music recordings with the OPL. He will finish his time with the OPL in 2025.
In 2018, Gustavo first conducted the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) as a guest. They liked him so much that they asked him to be their next music director. He started this job in 2020 with a five-year contract. In 2022, the TSO extended his contract until 2030.
In 2019, Gustavo also conducted at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain. He returned in 2022 to conduct an opera called The Fiery Angel (opera). In July 2022, the Teatro Real announced that Gustavo would be their next music director. He will start this role in 2025 for five years.
Gustavo Gimeno and his family live in Amsterdam.
Selected Recordings
Gustavo Gimeno has made many recordings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Luxembourg for the PENTATONE label. Some of his recordings include:
- Bruckner - Symphony No. 1 (2017)
- Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé (2017)
- Shostakovich - Symphony No. 1 (2017)
- Mahler - Symphony No. 4 (2018)
- Debussy - La Mer (2018)
- Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring (2018)
- Rossini - Petite Messe Solennelle (2019)
- Franck - Symphony in D Minor (2020)
- Rossini - Stabat Mater (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Gustavo Gimeno para niños
