Be it in Shostakovich or a new score of, for example, fellow native Dutch composer Michel van der Aa, the chemistry, skill, and dynamism with which OTTO TAUSK leads an ensemble, whether symphony or chamber, produces an inspired musical experience. His attention to the score, and the energy and charisma with which he conveys this with his musicians, are utterly infectious.

Firmly established in his native Holland, Tausk seasonally conducts many of its principal orchestras; in 2011/12 this will include the Residentie Orchestra with soloist Nikolai Lugansky, the Nord Nederlands Orchestra with Simone Lamsma, Poulenc’s Stabat Mater with the Brabants Orchestra, and a return to the Flanders Philharmonic with Alban Gerhardt as soloist. As Principal Conductor of the Holland Symfonia, Otto Tausk leads a season of concerts, and a new ballet production choreographed by Benjamin Millepied. He will also guest conduct a project with the Nederlands Dans Theater.

The 2011/12 season sees Tausk make his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in this program which includes the U.S. premiere of Georg Friedrich Haas’ chants oubliés. He returns to the orchestras of St. Gallen with Christian Poltéra as soloist; to the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland Pfalz with Hyeoon Park; to the Norrköping Orchestra; and to the Russian National Orchestra and Cologne for a project with MusikFabrik. Further afield and as a regular guest in the southern hemisphere, he conducts the Tasmania and Adelaide symphony orchestras, the latter again joined by Alban Gerhardt as soloist. Tausk is also a regular guest with the West Australian Symphony and the Auckland Symphony orchestras.

2011 saw the release of Hans Pfitzner’s enchanting Orchesterlieder, with Otto Tausk conducting the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie. The recording has garnered considerable international praise, not least the Classica France’s “Choc du mois.”

Tausk works regularly with leading contemporary ensembles the Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam and Asko | Schönberg. Between 2004-2006, Tausk was assistant conductor to Valery Gergiev with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Aside from Gergiev’s mentorship, Tausk was invited subsequently to work with the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre as well as the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

In 2011 Otto Tausk was presented with the “de Olifant” prize by the City of Haarlem. He received this award for his contribution to the Arts in the Netherlands, in particular his extensive work with Holland Symfonia. The unanimous jury praised the orchestra’s innovative and “borderless” programming and commitment to attracting new audiences.

Otto Tausk, born in Utrecht, won various prizes as a young violinist. He studied violin with Viktor Liberman and Istvan Parkanyi as well as orchestral conducting with Jurjen Hempel and Kenneth Montgomery. He continued his studies with Lithuanian conductor and professor Jonas Aleksa at the Vilnius Conservatoire, a period of study that had a profound impact on him. He now enjoys teaching workshops and master classes.