David Zinman

“Zinman set the orchestra on fire… His compelling sense of narrative led the audience to forget the length of the work.  Listening to this stylish and accomplished conducting, one can understand why Pierre Monteux considered this magician [David Zinman] to be his all-time favourite student.” (Michel Le Naour, concertclassic.com, April 2013)

“In short, Zinman has produced one of the best modern accounts I’ve heard. His ear for clean orchestral textures produces a first movement that has just the right sort of lucidity as well as a thrilling pace...Zinman and his orchestra phrase so intelligently – really breathing with the music – and orchestral balance is impeccable as well as clear..." (International Record Review, November 2012)

"[Zinman’s] idiosyncratic synthesis of historical analysis and modern techniques has worked its magic. No one else conducts Beethoven quite like this and, as the audience rises to its feet cheering at the conclusion of the Symphony No 7, I reflect that I have rarely heard the NYPO play better... This is exciting, freshly minted playing, without any hint of technique for its own sake. Once again, the perpetually youthful David Zinman has demonstrated how energy begets energy." (Gramophone, March 2012)

"Mr. Zinman has made a specialty of getting to the high-energy heart of Beethoven." (The New York Times, January 2012)

"At 75, David Zinman is one of the greatest living conductors – something which we probably only really appreciate when he is gone. This man, of a universal background and a vivacious curiosity, cast a new light onto the repertoire he tackled, not by bringing his ego on stage, but by relentlessly questioning the text, with humility and without showing off. A master, hailed as such by the musicians of the ONF who were touched and full of admiration." (Le Figaro, October 2011)

“Zinman’s Mahler cycle – proceeding in chronological order – is emerging as something rather special...  The recording has marvellous clarity, and the Tonhalle sounds as if discovering the music anew, making it sound both fresh and innovative.” (The Times, August 2009)

“It was beautifully paced by Zinman….the way that he switched from Classical reserve for Brahms to full-on Romanticism for Mahler was masterly.” (The Times, August 2009)