After 25 years and many adventures, not least the theft and recovery of his Stradivarius, the violinist is stepping down
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) announced today that Frank Almond will be stepping down as concertmaster at the end of the 2019-20 concert season.
‘It has been an immeasurable honor to serve under the direction of such transformative and insightful music directors, and to perform with superb musicians who are treasured by this wonderful community,’ Almond said in a statement released by the orchestra.
He was appointed by Zdenek Mácal, and seved as concertmaster through the tenures of Andreas Delfs, Edo de Waart and current music director Ken-David Masur.
‘When I first started with the MSO, I never could have imagined the journey I’ve uniquely experienced. And while my passion for performing has never waned, now is the right time for me and my family to begin a new chapter. I’m excited by what’s in store for this season and look forward to continuing to contribute to the artistic vibrancy of both the MSO and Milwaukee in the years ahead.’
He will remain as an Artistic Advisor to the orchestra.
Almond was thrust into the spotlight in 2014 when the ‘Lipinski’ Stradivari, which had been on permanent loan to him from an anonymous owner since 2008, was stolen from him in an armed robbery and subsequently recovered and returned to him.
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