Peter Oundjian

Caird Hall, Dundee, November 2

It is fair to say that Peter Oundjian’s fiveseason tenure as musical director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra has been one with a series of musical milestones.

During that time, he has taken the orchestra on their first-ever and highlysuccessful tour of China, supervised their two-year 125th anniversary celebrations and led them on their first visit to the US for 35 years.

Toronto-born but educated in England, Peter began his musical career as a violinist, attending the Royal College of Music before studying at the Juilliard School in New York.

Prior to establishing himself firmly as one of the world’s leading conductors, he held the post of first violinist with the Tokyo String Quartet.

But all good things must come to an end as he embarks on his last season with the RSNO. His final performance with them in Dundee will be on November 2, with a programme that includes Brahms’ Double Concerto and Beethoven’s much-loved Pastoral symphony. The Caird Hall will be one of many memories he’ll carry with him to pastures new.

“I always think of Sir Thomas Beecham’s alleged statement that looking at the hall from the stage is like looking down London’s Oxford Street,” he says. “While it is a long way to the back wall, the Caird has one of the finest acoustics in the world and it is inspiring to make music there.”

As well as directing the RSNO, Peter has enjoyed a joint role as musical director of his home-town orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This position will also be relinquished at the end of the season.

These roles, combined with several guest appearances across the globe, have given him a pretty good opinion of different audiences and their reactions.

“The main aspect I have noticed over the years travelling around the world is the different levels of formality,” he says.

“In certain countries audiences can be extremely reactive. In Holland, for example, if you don’t get a standing ovation it’s a disaster. This is very much connected with long-standing traditions. But that is only addressing the reaction to a performance.

“I find Scottish audiences are warm, sophisticated and extremely supportive,” he adds.

“They get very involved in the expression and atmosphere of the music. It is always a pleasure to perform for them but it’s definitely tough to get standing ovations from them!”

Peter’s globe-trotting will not cease when he leaves the two orchestras as he has a number of guest conductor engagements to fulfil, as well as continuing as visiting professor of violin at Yale University.

Peter Oundjian.