Seattle Symphony concertmaster finally goes solo

A long and sometimes discordant episode at Seattle Symphony came to a close Friday when the orchestra announced that Maria Larionoff had been named sole concertmaster.

Larionoff was one of four violinists appointed to share the leadership post in 2007 after an arduous three-year search for Ilkka Talvi's successor.

That arrangement, based on a "European model," according to a symphony statement, violated the terms of the musicians' collective bargaining agreement, which doesn't allow for part-time positions.

The concertmaster, traditionally the best-paid and highest-ranking orchestra musician, helps to lead the group in rehearsals and behind the scenes.

Larionoff joined the Symphony in 1990 and became associate concertmaster in 1997; she rose to acting concertmaster when music director Gerard Schwarz opted not to renew Talvi's contract in 2004.

When the concertmaster foursome was announced in 2007, Larionoff said she didn't want the job to herself. "I'd rather find somebody really great and inspiring, and get inspired myself. ... The concertmaster is responsible for so much. ... There's a lot of stress involved."

Larionoff was not immediately available for comment Friday. Seattle Symphony spokeswoman Rosalie Contreras indicated that since 2007, Larionoff has had a change of heart.

And now for the coda: Auditions for associate concertmaster will be held during the 2008-09 season.

Lynn Jacobson: 206-464-2714 or ljacobson@seattletimes.com.

Material from The Seattle Times archive is included in this report.