Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that conductor Eric Mahl will lead the orchestra in the 2024-25 season concerts. Maestro Mahl, who conducted the RSO’s April 27, 2024 concert, assumes the baton of the RSO following six outstanding seasons under the leadership of Music Director Yuga Cohler.
Conductor Eric Mahl
Known for his contagious energy and passion, Eric Mahl has solidified his place as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. His performances captivate audiences, and through these unique musical experiences, he unleashes music’s immense power to bring positive change to the world. He is dedicated to bringing music to life for everyone, believing that it is a necessary part of a joyous and fulfilling existence.
Currently, Mr. Mahl is the Music Director of the Northport Symphony Orchestra, Geneva Light Opera Company (NY), the Philharmonia Orchestra at Third Street, and Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, as well as Associate Conductor with the Greenwich Village Orchestra and faculty/festival ensemble conductor at the Charles Ives Music Festival. He is the Founder and Music Director of Orchestra One, a NYC based 501c3, a community involvement and participation based organization.
Maestro Mahl leads, collaborates and performs with ensembles and soloists comprised of world-class musicians from orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra among others, as well as with Grammy Winning artists including Brandon Patrick George, Rannan Meyer, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Judy Collins. Mr. Mahl has become known for his unique and innovative programs, which highlight the rich diversity of the world, which in turn actively interests audiences of people from all backgrounds into the fold of classical music. He is constantly searching for meaningful music that is under represented in the current cannon. Most recently Mr. Mahl’s orchestral arrangements of Nathaniel Dett’s Piano music was given its world premier with the Northport Symphony, and a fresh interpretation of Florence Price’s The Oak with the Greenwich Village Orchestra was met with thunderous applause.
The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra invited Eric Mahl to guest conduct their April 27, 2024 concert featuring Sibelius’ Finlandia Overture, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and the rapturous Strauss’ Four Last Songs. Mr. Mahl will also lead the RSO in the 2024-25 season concerts.
As a fervent supporter of new works, Mr. Mahl frequently conducts various New Music Ensembles in the Greater NYC area, including more than twenty world premieres and has commissioned nine pieces for full orchestra, as well as world premieres of fully-staged operas, ballet, and countless small and large ensemble pieces of all genres and instrumentations.
This busy musician also can be heard in his unique music lecture series, a library workshop series, inter-active children and family concerts, outreach programs, and concerts that explore the history and culture of a particular communities. As a passionate educator, Mr. Mahl has personally taught all ages and instruments at public and private schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City, and frequently works with student musicians from under-served communities.
Mr. Mahl received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College, and continued his studies at Universite de Montreal and the State University of New York at Fredonia. He has studied with some of the foremost conducting pedagogues in the country including Marin Alsop, James Ross, Harold Farberman, and Larry Rachleff and has participated in workshops in the United States, Canada and Europe. Mr. Mahl plays trumpet and piano, and in his very limited free time continues to play in orchestral and chamber music programs. When not on the podium, his passions extend to fitness, tennis, and spending time in nature.
