When Van Sweden started as conductor of one of the best orchestras in the world in September 2018, he spoke of “a dream job”. The corona pandemic has now made the 60-year-old conductor realize that he wants to spend more time with his family.
Hardly home
He tells the American newspaper that he was hardly at home in the days before the pandemic started. The choice to stop is “not out of frustration, anger or a difficult situation, but purely out of freedom”, according to Van Zweden.
The orchestra will return to its permanent location, New York’s renovated David Geffen Hall, next fall. Due to the renovation, the Van Zweden orchestra had to move to various locations in the city this season.
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Van Sweden says in the interview that he found it difficult not to have daily contact with his orchestra members during the corona break. Like many people, he was dependent on video conferencing.
Health
After he contracted corona himself, he started to focus more on his health and lost thirty kilos. He also spent more time with his family and focused on his foundation for children with autism.
“This period has changed me a lot,” says van Zweden. “When you experience such an intense period, your image changes completely.” The Dutchman’s contract runs until 2024, after which he puts down his baton. It is rare for a conductor to accompany the world-famous company for only six years.
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