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Encore presentation: Portland Symphony renews contract of music director Preu

Portland Symphony Orchestra rehearsing at Merrill Auditorium Photo / Jim Neuger Eckart Preu conducts the Portland Symphony Orchestra at a rehearsal at Merrill Auditorium on Nov. 14.
By Renee Cordes

As the Portland Symphony Orchestra gears up for this year’s “Magic of Christmas” concert, it has renewed Music Director Eckart Preu’s contract for three more seasons.

Preu, who took up the baton for the 2019-2020 season, will stay in the role through July 31, 2029, after the latest contract extension. 

Eckhart Preu
File Photo / Jim Neuger
Eckart Preu in a 2019 "On the Record" interview with Mainebiz.

This marks the second contract extension for the German-born conductor, who works closely with the orchestra’s new executive director, Derek Beckvold.

Under Preu's artistic leadership, the ensemble has continued to offer seasonal programming, including classical and pops concerts as well as discovery and youth concerts.

The orchestra also added a Summer at Seaside Pavilion series in Old Orchard Beach and a statewide chamber music series via a major gift from the Lunder Foundation.

“I am excited to continue my work with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and this remarkable community,” Preu said. “I am inspired by the dedication of our musicians, the passion of our audience and the shared belief in the power of music.”

In an "On the Record" interview published in 2019, Preu told Mainebiz that he actually enjoys the business aspects of the music director job. 

"It’s like instead of just painting, you do the canvas yourself, you mix the colors, and if you have really good people in the office to work with," he said. "It's a lot of fun. I just get the applause at the end, but there are a lot of people in the background who make it all happen."

Founded in 1924, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is one of the top orchestras of its size in the country. This season marks the ensemble’s 101st year of bringing world-class music to Maine.

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