Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Concertmaster

Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra today announced the appointment of violinist David Coucheron as ASO Concertmaster, effective September 2010. Mr. Coucheron’Äôs chair is endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Howard R. Peevy. He succeeds Cecylia Arzewski, who completed her tenure with the Atlanta Symphony at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Originally from Oslo, Norway, Mr. Coucheron began playing violin at the age of three. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, his Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and his Master of Musical Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with teachers including Igor Ozim, Aaron Rosand, Lewis Kaplan, and David Takeno Mr. Coucheron has worked with conductors such as Robert Spano, Alan Gilbert, Michael Tilson Thomas, Simon Rattle, Mstislav Rostropovich, David Zinman, Roger Norrington, Simone Young, and Charles Dutoit, and performed as a soloist with orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Maxim Vengerov conducting), the Sendai Symphony Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. He has played solo recitals at the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall (London), the Kennedy Center, the Olympic Winter Games (Salt Lake City, Utah), as well as in Beograd, Serbia, and Shanghai, China. Mr. Coucheron’Äôs chamber music performances have included appearances at Suntory Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, and Alice Tully Hall. His recordings with sister, and pianist, Julie Coucheron, include ’ÄúDavid and Julie’Äù (Naxos/Mudi), and ’ÄúDebut’Äù (Naxos). Some of his awards and recognitions are first prize at the Concorso Internazionale di Musica ’ÄúCitta di Pinerolo’Äù Competition in 2009 (Turin, Italy), first prize at The Princess Astrid Competition in 2002 (Trondheim, Norway), and Third Prize at the Manchester International Violin Competition in 2005 (Manchester, U.K.). Mr. Coucheron plays a 1725 Stradivarius.

’ÄúMr. Coucheron impressed us all through this long and detailed search process,’Äù said Music Director Robert Spano. ’ÄúIt is very exciting to have such a vital and dynamic talent join us. We eagerly anticipate welcoming him to Atlanta.’Äù

’ÄúI am so excited to work with the warm, wonderful, and talented musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,’Äù said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Designate David Coucheron. ’ÄúI am especially anticipating collaborations with Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles ’Äî they are both so inspiring, and always bring out the very best in this Orchestra. Although it is early in my career, I recognize the responsibilities that come with this position. I am thrilled to be here, and I look forward to heightening the musicianship of this great Orchestra so that we continue to offer the very best musical experience for our audience.’Äù

’ÄúI am just delighted for David,’Äù said violinist and teacher Aaron Rosand. ’ÄúDavid worked with me for five years at The Curtis Institute ’Äî he is a gifted and thorough musician, and resonates qualities of leadership, presence, and a very gentle character with a wonderful demeanor. I think David is the ideal person for this position, and I know the ASO’Äôs audience will love him.’Äù