Violinist Itzhak Perlman Joins St. Louis Symphony

ST. LOUIS (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, slso.org) - Violinist Itzhak Perlman will serve as music adviser to the financially troubled St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for the next two concert seasons, the symphony announced Thursday.

Perlman's work with the symphony largely will be artistic and behind the scenes, said Randy Adams, the symphony's president and executive director. Adams said Perlman will perform some of the duties but will not replace Hans Vonk, who cited health problems when he stepped down in May as the symphony's music director and principal conductor.

Perlman, who will conduct two concerts a year, said in a statement that he was excited about becoming music adviser, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
"All of my experiences with this great orchestra over more than 30 years, both as a soloist and conductor, have been most gratifying," Perlman said.

Perlman, 56, is principal guest conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a conductor with several major orchestras.
"I think it's great for him and great for St. Louis, and I think it's a very creative solution for our situation," Adams said.

In January, the symphony announced it expected to save more than $5 million through cost-cutting efforts that include a shorter season and a pay cut for musicians under a three-year contract.