The conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra will be stepping down from his position in 2015, after serving as director for 16 years – the longest anyone has held the position.
Pinchas Zukerman, who will step down on August 31, 2015, joined the NAC in 1999.
“The NAC has benefitted immeasurably from his leadership on the podium, his artistry as a soloist and his deep commitment to music education,” said Peter Herrndorf, president and CEO of the NAC, in a statement.
Zukerman’s reputation has helped to attract international stars, such as Yo Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta and Valery Gergiev, according to the statement.
As a musician, he is constantly in demand around the world, and performs as a frequent guest violinist with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many other orchestras.
The NAC will begin its search for a replacement this summer, said Rosemary Thompson, an NAC communications officer.
“It can take two years or more to find someone, especially someone of Mr. Zukerman's calibre. He is one of the world's greatest violinists, we were very lucky to have him here for as long as he stayed,” said Thompson.