American David Robertson Named Sydney Symphony Artistic Director

American conductor David Robertson will replace Sydney Symphony's current principal conductor and artistic director Vladimir Ashkenazy from their 2014 season, the orchestra announced this morning. The Californian is currently stationed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra as its music director and the BBC Symphony Orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor.

Robertson is no stranger to Sydney Symphony, having conducted it regularly since 2003, and returns in June and July of this year to conduct three programmes, one of which includes Tchaikovsky's Pathétique.

Projects that Sydney Symphony will take on under Robertson's baton include recordings, an annual opera-in-concert, commissioning partnerships, and international touring "with a focus on China".

Ashkenazy will continue a relationship with Sydney Symphony.

Robertson's response to the appointment: