Smith reflects on decade as Richmond Symphony music director

While conducting his first concert as the Richmond Symphony Orchestra's new music director in 1999, Mark Russell Smith wasn't scared, but he had a lot on his mind.

"I was excited, slightly nervous, looking forward, dreaming, analyzing, figuring out potential, fact-finding, seeing the lay of the land," Smith said during a recent interview. "When I came to Richmond, I planned to be here for a good while. So in a case like that, you take the time to invest and investigate."

As he prepared to conduct his last concerts this weekend after 10 seasons as music director of the orchestra, Smith recalled taking over a group that was in a state of flux. "There was already change going on before I got here, so that somewhat colored everything during my first couple of years."

The change Smith was referring to included a buyout of a number of orchestra members who some management personnel thought had passed their musical primes and were being asked to move on. The situation is remembered in different ways, depending on whom you talk to, but it still meant that the orchestra was in the midst of change.

"I was in the position of being able to hire a number of great new orchestra members," Smith said. "And the talent level of musicians out there looking for work was -- and is -- extremely high.

"When we auditioned for new members, obviously, I knew the kind of sound I wanted. There could have been 10 players who qualified technically and musically, but there might be only one or two who produce the kind of sound profile I was looking for.

"To be able to have enough hires to eventually mold the sound into your concept is a rare opportunity. Then, once you get those ingredients and create flexibility, stylistic awareness, ensemble playing . . . all the things that go into making a great orchestra, that's the hard work, but it's also the rewarding work."

Smith feels the orchestra achieved all these goals during his tenure, which for the past five seasons has required performing on the road.

With the closing of the Carpenter Center in 2004 for renovation, the orchestra moved its primary Masterworks series into church venues around town, its Pops series to the Landmark Theater and other smaller series to college and church locations.

"There's no doubt about it," Smith said. "Playing in many different venues rather than one home base has been incredibly difficult. But the orchestra has accomplished great things in spite of a challenging situation, and that's the thing I'm most proud of."

On the orchestra moving back next season to a permanent base at the Carpenter Theatre, part of the Richmond CenterStage performing-arts center, Smith quipped that it was sort of like Moses leading his people to the Promised Land but not being allowed to accompany them to their final destination.

"I'm a different conductor than I was 10 years ago," Smith said. "Hopefully, I'm better, and hopefully my interpretations have deepened. Hopefully, I'm more informed and have evolved artistically. I believe the musicians are pleased with how things are. We've all grown, and to have been in a place where you can do that is really special."

Smith acknowledges that he has learned a lot. "At 46, I'm young for an orchestra conductor." But he also is reaping the rewards that come from hard, successful work.

An Arizona native, Smith and his family now call Minnesota home. His wife, Ellin, plays French horn for the Minnesota Orchestra, and his two sons, Alex and Noah, also are involved in music.

Smith, whose parents are musicians, has a rich background in music that started at an early age.

He graduated from Juilliard as a cellist and went on to study conducting at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He caught the eye of the musical world when he took on a weak orchestra in Springfield, Mass., and turned it into a recognized regional orchestra in five years.

Ten years in Richmond and guest-conducting experiences elsewhere have lifted his musical stock value. He recently was appointed music director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Iowa. And he has been named director of new music projects for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and artistic director of orchestral studies at the University of Minnesota.

"I have many, many friends in Richmond," Smith said. "I love the orchestra and chorus, and have many fond remembrances of great performances by them, so I have a lot to take with me as I leave. I have mixed emotions, but I am looking forward to the future.

"The Richmond Symphony is a gem that needs to be kept polished. There are many musicians in this orchestra who could be playing in any orchestra in the country. And I pray that whoever succeeds me recognizes that and carries on with that work."

Contact Walt Amacker at (804) 649-6247 or .