Reviews

 Maestro Max Bragado-Darman has announced he will leave his position as the music director and conductor of the Monterey Symphony at the end of the 2019-2020 season. The acclaimed Spanish-born conductor captivated the region's music patrons in the 1990s when he appeared with the orchestra as a frequent guest conductor. He was hired as the symphony's full-time music director in July 2004.

The Monterey Symphony is the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County.

"We are so fortunate to have had Max's leadership, expertise and dedication in leading the Symphony for these past years," said Nicola Samra, the symphony executive director. "We love him and his wife Mary, and we all wish him well in his next adventure in life. Meanwhile, we look forward to the symphony's next two seasons."

During his tenure, Bragado has brought many internationally renowned musicians to perform as guest soloists with the orchestra, among them Dubravka Tomsic, Philippe Bianconi, Judith Ingolfsson and Orion Weiss. During this season's Concert Grand series, Bragado invited two winners of the prestigious Santander piano competition to appear with the orchestra.

Bragado has been recognized internationally for his ability to quickly build orchestras into precision ensembles that deliver exhilarating accounts of demanding masterpieces.

Uninterested in fame and perks of celebrity, he has focused on musical excellence and finding ways to reach and inspire people of all ages with the classics. He especially wants this great music of Western civilization to thrive as a vibrant legacy in our children's lives and futures.

"No dumbing down!" he says. "They must hear what the grownups hear, the real thing."

The orchestra's Music for Schools program has achieved his goal of gathering as many kids as possible into large concert halls with the full symphony orchestra to experience serious works from this mighty repertoire. Many thousands of children throughout Monterey County have now enjoyed the same beautiful music heard by the symphony's regular concert goers.

Among Bragado's other successful initiatives with the symphony has been a collaboration with the American Ballet Theatre. He also has an ongoing partnership with Youth Music Monterey County, inviting members of the Honors Orchestra to play side by side with the full professional ensemble.

"I am humbled and honored to have served the Monterey Symphony for so many years," he says. "Both Mary and I feel that Monterey is like a second home to us. I am deeply proud of this orchestra and consider it an absolute gem. The next two seasons, which are already planned, will be joyous for the organization."

Future plans will be announced at the beginning of next season. For additional information, please call 646-8511 or visit the website: www.montereysymphony.org.