Meet Jean-Marie Zeitouni, ESO’s New Music Director

By D. T. Baker

On February 19, Jean-Marie Zeitouni was named the new Music Director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, changing in an instant a long-standing relationship between the orchestra and the charismatic Canadian conductor.

Up to now, Jean-Marie had been a frequent guest of the ESO – one of its best musical friends, really. Since making his ESO debut in 2006, he has racked up an average return rate of nearly once a year (COVID precautions notwithstanding), and during that time, has demonstrated his mastery in a wide variety of repertoire, and both audiences and musicians have welcomed his frequent returns.

But now it’s different. As Music Director, Jean-Marie will now imprint an artistic vision for the ESO he has not had to before. The orchestra will reflect his personality, to an extent, as it has done with previous Music Directors. It’s an exciting prospect, but one that has the advantage of familiarity and, most of all, trust.

Edmonton has been extremely fortunate with its Music Directors. But for many of them, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was their first taste of this vital leadership role. Most recently, Bill Eddins and Alexander Prior had never held similar roles in the past – the ESO was their artistic leadership debut. Over the course of the various searches the ESO has undertaken to find such talent in the past, its is common to receive resumés from the talented younger crowd, new faces who, if selected to audition with the ESO, are very often making their debut performances while seeking to become Music Director. Up to now, that is.

But not only is Jean-Marie Zeitouni well known and admired here in Edmonton, he has led orchestras in the past. He was Music Director of the Colorado Music Festival, and the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. He was Artistic Director of I musici de Montréal, a world-renowned chamber orchestra. And in the 2019/20 season, Jean-Marie was asked to be an Artistic Partner with the Edmonton Symphony. He also has a long-standing relationship with Montréal’s Conservatoire de musique, having been a student there (percussion and conducting), and now as a teacher and conductor.

As a guest conductor, Jean-Marie has forged many friendships with members of the Edmonton Symphony. That, too, will change as he takes on the role of Music Director. The responsibility of maintaining, and improving, the high standard of musicianship in the ESO is now his, and while his abundant affability and vast musical acumen will help ensure that he will continue to have the respect of his colleagues, he is now their leader, and shaper of the ensemble’s artistic growth.

On a purely personal note, I am thrilled that Jean-Marie has been named to the position. For nearly every performance for which the ESO has had the pleasure of Zeitouni on the podium, I have been able to chat with him about the music for each of those concerts. Sometimes, they were more formal discussions for public consumption: interviews for my pre-concert talks, or post-concert Q&As. But other times, they were friendly, informal chats backstage before a rehearsal, when he would typically greet me with a hug. And believe me, when you’ve been hugged by Jean-Marie, you know you’ve been hugged. He is never at a loss for words. Any work he conducts, he conducts with every fibre of his being, whether it’s a cherished favourite, or a work brand new to him. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he is eager to share his knowledge, and his feeling, about music. The word “passion” is overused, but if the shoe fits…

Up to now, any time Jean-Marie Zeitouni stepped before the ESO to conduct, it has been an adventure. We now have the privilege of seeing that adventure expand and take on a dimension that promises a major next step for both him, and this orchestra. Can’t wait.