Violinist Nathan Cole will depart the Los Angeles Philharmonic to assume the new role from July 2024
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and its music director Andris Nelsons has announced the appointment of Nathan Cole as the orchestra’s new concertmaster.
The appointment comes following the retirement of Malcolm Lowe in 2019, who served as BSO concertmaster for 35 years.
Cole will assume the role, the Charles Munch chair, at the start of the BSO’s 2024 Tanglewood season in July, becoming the orchestra’s eleventh concertmaster since its founding in 1881.
’This opportunity to be the BSO’s next concertmaster feels like something that I’ve been waiting for my whole life. When I auditioned with the BSO back in January, for me it was an immediate, warm feeling both from my colleagues in the orchestra and Andris on the podium.
’I also felt great support from the orchestra, especially from my fellow violins.’
Cole will be only the fourth BSO concertmaster in 104 years. ’Looking back, I feel fortunate to have known two people who held the position before me, Malcolm Lowe and Joseph Silverstein,’ he commented. ’Silverstein was one of my idols, and I grew up with many of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players recordings.
’I always got the sense that he knew he was a custodian of the position, and that everything he did was for his colleagues and for the music, and that’s something that I want to carry forward.
’Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to be starting my tenure this summer at Tanglewood. It will be my first time playing there. My wife Akiko and I and all three of our kids are super-excited about the move to New England!,’ Cole concluded.
Cole has been first associate concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2011 and previously was a member of the Chicago Symphony and principal second violin of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has appeared as guest concertmaster with the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston, Ottawa, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon.
’The BSO and I are very happy to warmly welcome Nathan Cole as the next concertmaster of our great orchestra,’ said Nelsons. ’We look forward to embracing his leadership within the orchestra, exploring our joint musical values and partnering on our artistic journey together to serve the great music both within and beyond our Boston community.’
’As only the fourth BSO concertmaster in the past 104 years, Nathan will be part of a distinguished legacy of violinists to put their stamps on this exceptional violin section, orchestra and institution,’ said BSO Bass Musician Todd Seber, Eleanor L. and Levin H. Campbell chair and chair of the BSO Players’ Committee.
’The players look forward to his leadership.’
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