After a four year international search, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has announced the appointment of its new Music Director, German conductor Eckehard Stier.

Mr Stier takes up the role from the beginning of 2009, filling the position previously held by Miguel Harth-Bedoya.After a four year international search, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has announced the appointment of its new Music Director, German conductor Eckehard Stier.

Mr Stier takes up the role from the beginning of 2009, filling the position previously held by Miguel Harth-Bedoya."We are absolutely delighted to be making this announcement and very much looking forward to Eckehard's ongoing involvement with the orchestra," says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser.

Mr Stier was guest conductor with the APO for two concerts this year - In Nature's Realm and the Opera in Concert performance Salome.

"We have been looking for someone who embodied the qualities we aspire to as an orchestra and who could help further develop these qualities: excitement for music, connection to our audience, a commitment to Auckland and a passion for excellence," Ms Glaser says.

"Eckehard's expert performances and the terrific response from our audience and musicians, coupled with his proven experience as a music director made him a natural choice for us."

"He has a clear vision for the orchestra, with passion, commitment and imaginative musicianship. We're really looking forward to building a fruitful partnership and lasting friendship in the coming years."

As Music Director, Mr Stier will be responsible for shaping the artistic evolution of the orchestra including its repertoire and musical development.

Mr Stier says he is very pleased to be coming to New Zealand to continue his association with the APO.

"Anyone who has been to an APO concert knows that the musicians combine enormous talent and passion for music, but I believe their achievements are matched only by their potential," Mr Stier says.

"The APO is an orchestra which is always challenging itself to go further, and to become even better. It's an unusual and exciting quality in an orchestra and it is my privilege to be able to work with the musicians so that together we can rise to new heights."

Mr Stier (36) is currently the Chief Conductor of the New Lausitz Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director at the Gorlitz Opera House in Germany. Born into a musical family, he sang with the internationally acclaimed children's choir, the Dresden Kreuzchor before beginning conducting lessons at the age of 14.

While at the conservatorium in Dresden he began conducting professionally and at 23 became a staff conductor with the Opera Theatre of Chemnitz. He has since conducted a wide range of repertoire for orchestras throughout Europe and is also a keen and successful jazz pianist.

"Eckehard has a rapidly growing reputation as one of the most exciting of the new generation of conductors. He is an extraordinary musician with a rich and diverse musical background," says Ms Glaser.

Mr Stier arrives in New Zealand in February and will spend three extended periods in Auckland working with the orchestra. He will conduct seven of the orchestra's performances this year including the season opening concert A New Beginning featuring British teenage violin sensation Jennifer Pike, and Rachmaninov's opulently romantic Symphony No 2; Mahler's Symphony No 6; and the Opera in Concert, Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

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