The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey has announced that its founding music director, Daniel Spalding, has stepped down. Assistant conductor Sebastian Grand and “several distinguished guest conductors” will take over for the orchestra’s 2024-25 season. No reason was specified for Spalding’s departure.
At least he went out with a bang. His final concert as music director took place in April at Trenton’s Roebling Machine Shop in celebration of the centenary of Trenton-born George Antheil’s “Ballet Mécanique.” Four pianists, a plethora of percussionists, the Plenty Pepper Steel Band, and Trenton Circus Squad combined for a memorable season finale.
Spalding spearheaded the formation of the Capital Philharmonic in 2013. The organization was raised from the ashes of the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra – New Jersey’s oldest professional symphonic ensemble – which essentially folded when it couldn’t pay its musicians in 2012.
Spalding directed the Capital Phil for the first ten years of its existence. He is also music director of the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, a group he founded in 1991. His recordings are available on the Arabesque, Ariel, Connoisseur Society, Naxos, New World, and Vienna Modern Masters labels.
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