‘As of season 2024/2025, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will have an associate conductor. The commitment is for two seasons. The position was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Haitink family.’
The selection process
‘After an international selection of candidates nominated by specialists, four young conductors auditioned live with the Concertgebouw Orchestra under the direction of future chief conductor Klaus Mäkelä. Based on the auditions, Aurel Dawidiuk was chosen as the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s first associate conductor.’
What role will the associate conductor play?
‘During the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons, Aurel Dawidiuk will work on approximately half of the concert programs. The work is diverse: as associate conductor, he will have the opportunity to build an artistic relationship with the orchestra. For example, he will assist top conductors in Amsterdam and on tours, work with orchestra members in ensemble formation and play a role within the talent development program. In the second half of the 2025/2026 season, Aurel Dawidiuk will spend a week working with the orchestra and conducting subscription concerts.’
Associate conductor role continues Bernard Haitink’s legacy
‘Former principal conductor Bernard Haitink (1929-2021) gave numerous master classes during his long career and often invited young conductors as his assistants. His widow Patricia Haitink says, “Bernard felt that he had been very lucky in his career as a young conductor, and was eager to create opportunities for his younger colleagues. This track allows a young conductor to really actively work with an important orchestra and some of the best conductors and soloists. It gives talented young musicians the opportunity to take his career to a new stage.’
More about this young talent
‘Aurel Dawidiuk, born in Hanover, is a remarkable talent, rapidly making a career as a conductor, pianist and organist. He began his conducting studies in 2020 with Johannes Schlaefli at Zurich University of the Arts, where he is currently studying with Christoph-Mathias Mueller. In 2021, Aurel Dawidiuk was admitted to the Conductors’ Forum for Young Talented Conductors of the German Music Council. He received master classes from Paavo Järvi, Joana Mallwitz, Pierre-André Valade and Jaap van Zweden and has conducted the Bern Symphony Orchestra, the Kammerorchester Basel, the Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. In 2023, he received the Neeme Järvi Prize at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival and at the Hans von Bülow Meiningen Competition four prizes, including first prize in the “conducting from the piano” category and the audience award.’
Watch Aurel lead a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 from the piano in the Staatstheater, Meiningen | May 2024
Source: Press release | Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | 12th March 2024
Aurel Dawidiuk is represented by Harrison Parrott
Read more from Clare
The definition of love: Mäkelä conducts Mahler 3 at the Concertgebouw
Inside the Rehearsal Room with Klaus Mäkelä and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Follow Clare Varney on Facebook or Instagram to read more about Music, Food and Culture
