He's Goin' Back to Cali

Philharmonic concertmaster Glenn Dicterow to step down.
by Paul Pelkonen

Glenn Dicterow will leave the New York Philharmonic in 2014.
Photo by Chris Lee © 2012 The New York Philharmonic.

Violinist Glenn Dicterow is leaving his position as concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. He will step down at the end of the 2013-2014 season.

In a statement issued by the New York Philharmonic press department, Mr. Dicterow, who is currently in the midst of a series of concerts as soloist in Bartók's First Violin Concerto, announced today that he is leaving the position that he has held at the orchestra for the past 34 years.

The New York Philharmonic has experienced changes in leadership in recent years, with four different music directors in the last four decades. More recently, the orchestra appointed a new chief executive, Matthew van Biesen, to replace longtime exec Zarin Mehta, and Ed Yim as its new artistic administrator. Through all these changes, Mr. Dicterow has remained a steady presence in the first chair. 

In the statement, the violinist said:

"To have worked with four brilliant Music Directors over the years--Zubin, my friend, to whom I will always be grateful, Kurt Masur, Lorin  Maazel, and now Alan Gilbert, is more than one could hope for."

He continued with an endorsement of Mr. Gilbert:

 "I’ve known Alan since he was a young conductor with exceptional promise, and have enjoyed indelible musical friendships with his entire family--and I’ve watched the New York Philharmonic change, grow, and evolve under Alan’s leadership."

Mr. Gilbert said, in a statement: 

"He is a legend in the field and truly one of the most extraordinary violinists in the world. I am, of course, very sad to know that he will be leaving — working with Glenn has been a joy and an inspiration these past three years as Music Director — but I understand his desire to begin a new chapter in his musical life."

The California native started his career at age 11, with a debut performance of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto. He currently divides his time between New York and Los Angeles is starting a new position at the University of Southern California. The Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music has been created for Mr. Dicterow, who will continue to concertize, give master classes, and play chamber music.

A successor has yet to be announced.