James DePreist was born in Philadelphia in 1936. He studied at the conservatory in the city, initially taking composition as his major subject. Conducting then took a back seat, but it gradually became DePreist's real calling. A victory in the Dmitri Mitropoulos Competition in 1964 proved to be the springboard for a career on the podium. Leonard Bernstein chose him as his assistant conductor, and this engagement was followed by a three-year term as Chief Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and five years as assistant to Antal Dorati with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington.
During the past three decades, DePreist served as Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Sweden's Malmö Symphony, the Orchestre philharmonique de Monte Carlo and the Oregon Symphony. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra appointed him Principal Guest Conductor for the 1993-94 and the 1995-96 Seasons.
More information:
Official Website
During the past three decades, DePreist served as Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Sweden's Malmö Symphony, the Orchestre philharmonique de Monte Carlo and the Oregon Symphony. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra appointed him Principal Guest Conductor for the 1993-94 and the 1995-96 Seasons.
More information:
Official Website
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphonies Nos. 9 & 12 ('The Year 1917')
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
James DePreist
ODE 846-2
Released 12/1995
Giya Kancheli
Symphonies Nos. 1, 4 & 5
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
James DePreist, conductor
ODE 829-2
Released 03/1995
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 8
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
James DePreist
ODE 775-2
Released 11/1991
