Cinci Symphony Announces Music Director

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has chosen Cristian Macelaru to succeed Louis Langrée as music director, starting next season as designate and continuing for the following four years officially in the role. He concludes his current tenure as chief conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester in Cologne, Germany, at the close of 2024-25, taking the title artistic partner thereafter.

Macelaru, who is Romanian-born, will be juggling a number of jobs when he takes over in Cincinnati. In addition to WDR, he is music director of the Orchestre National de France; artistic director of the George Enescu Festival and Competition in Bucharest, Romania; artistic director and principal conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ World Youth Symphony Orchestra; and music director and conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, CA. He recently toured China with the WDR, and returns to that country, along with South Korea, in 2025 with the Orchestre National de France.

In addition to titled positions, Macelaru is a well-traveled guest conductor, recording artist, and proponent and commissioner of contemporary composers. He first led the CSO in 2015 for the Cincinnati Opera’s production of Il Trovatore; he made his official orchestral debut in 2016 with new works by Gunther Schuller and Julia Wolfe, plus Elgar’s Enigma Variations.

In his most recent visit, last February, Macelaru led a program that included Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto, with Kian Soltani, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11.

“Cristian listens and hears everything, and it was evident in rehearsals,” said principal horn Elizabeth Freimuth, among the five musicians on the search  committee. “He knew what he wanted, and from the moment he stepped on the podium, he exuded a reassuring confidence and emotional sensitivity that carried us along with him. The performances in February were captivating from beginning to end and pure joy to perform.”

A naturalized citizen since 2019, Macelaru’s Stateside training included Interlochen, the University of Miami, and Rice University.

Langrée announced three years ago that he would not extend his current contract beyond 2023-24; he has been the orchestra’s music director for 11 years, in what has been by all accounts a highly successful partnership. He now takes the title emeritus.