Daniel Myssyk
Virginia Commonwealth University Associate Professor and Director of Orchestral Activities Daniel Myssyk was Music Director of the Montréal based Orchestre de chambre Appassionata from 2000 to 2016. During his tenure, he brought Appassionata on its first American tour, which included two concerts in Richmond (VA). The orchestra also toured before enthused audiences in Ontario in January of 2014. A year later, Myssyk made his debut in Guanajuato (Mexico) where he was immediately invited back, and also conducted the Michoacan State Orchestra. He is a regular collaborator with the Richmond Symphony organization.
Myssyk conducts repertoire from the classical, romantic, modern and contemporary periods with great attention to stylistically appropriate detail. He maintains a continuous engagement with opera in a variety of styles ranging from Mozart to Menotti. Sensitive to the music of our time, he has contributed to the creation of many contemporary North-American works, including the world-premiere of Anthony Brandt’s opera, “The Birth of Something” with Da Camera in Houston. Under his leadership, three recent VCU Opera productions of “The Gondoliers” (2015), “The Old Maid and the Thief” (2012), and “Hansel & Gretel” (2011) won top prizes at the National Opera Association competition.
His involvement toward the youth reflects a well-honed passion for music education. In
addition to his work at VCU, he is a regular collaborator with the All-Virginia State Orchestra, the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Hampton Roads Chamber Players, among others.
Myssyk’s recordings have received widespread critical acclaim. In 2012, he completed the recording of “Czech Serenades” with works by Suk and Dvořák. The CD was in nomination for best recording of the year at the “ADISQ” awards, Québec’s equivalent of the Grammys, and at the Prix Opus from the Conseil québécois de la musique. Jean-Yves Duperron of Classical Music Sentinel writes: “Conductor Daniel Myssyk and the members of the Appassionata Chamber Orchestra ply their magic in this music, and shape each and every phrase, and infuse each and every note, with care and sincere expression. I’ve rarely heard these two works played with this much conviction.”
In 2010, his CD “Idyla” (on Fidelio label), was nominated for an Opus Prize as best recording of the year. A CD featuring American trumpet player and VCU colleague Rex Richardson playing Dana Wilson’s “Concerto for Trumpet and Strings” was released on Summit Records, earning rave reviews from the International Trumpet Guild Journal. His most recent CD, on the Atma label, features works by Québec composer François Dompierre and has earned excellent reviews from Radio-Canada and Magazine Son et image.
Upcoming engagements will bring him back to Mexico and Canada, with l’Orchestre de la Francophonie. He made his successful debut with the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal this fall. He is currently a finalist for the music director position with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (TX).