Daniel P. Meyer, 1994
B.A., Denison University
M.M., University of Cincinnati
Music Director
Asheville Symphony; Erie Philharmonic
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Citation awarded May, 2015
As Music Director of the Asheville Symphony and Erie Philharmonic, Daniel Meyer ’94 has reinvigorated both orchestras with his innovative programs, engaging podium presence and keen musical intellect. He began this season with return guest engagements at the Rochester Philharmonic and led a week of Strauss and Bartok with the Wiener Jeunesse Orchestra, culminating in concerts in Vienna and Bratislava. In Asheville, Meyer created the Amadeus Festival, a week of Mozart events and concerts with Emmanuel Ax. In both Asheville and Erie he continues the mission of programming contemporary works by John Adams, Anne Clyne, and Jennifer Higdon amongst the masterworks of Beethoven, Bartok, Dvorak and Ravel.
In recent seasons Meyer has conducted the Rochester Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh, Columbus, Phoenix, Eugene, Alabama, and Knoxville Symphonies. His critically acclaimed European debut took place with the Staatstheater Stuttgart Orchestra and violinist Thomas Zehetmaier, and he returned to Germany for concerts last season with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen.
Meyer has led the symphony orchestras of Utah, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Youngstown, Lexington, Portland, Santa Barbara, Lansing, and Wheeling. Summer festival appearances have included the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom, the Aspen and Grand Teton Music Festivals, the Chautauqua Festival and the Brevard Music Center.
In 2003, Mariss Jansons invited Meyer to become Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, where he served until 2009. He worked closely with Manfred Honeck, Mariss Jansons, Sir Andrew Davis, and Charles Dutoit. He led the Pittsburgh Symphony on tour; conducted performances with Pinchas Zukerman, Sarah Chang, and Marvin Hamlisch, among other notable soloists; and conducted the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Pastime.
As Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, Meyer led the PYSO on their first ever tour to China and an international tour to Vienna, Prague, Leipzig and Budapest. In 2002, David Zinman awarded Meyer the prestigious Aspen Conducting Prize, and invited him to return as Assistant Conductor and to lead a subscription performance at the Aspen Music Festival. Meyer makes his home in Pittsburgh with his wife, violist Mary Persin, and their son, Leo.
