Nathalie Stutzmann has signed to Warner Classics-Erato as a conductor, building on a catalogue with the label which has included recordings as contralto, conductor, and indeed both together.

The first recording under the exclusive agreement, due for release in August, will feature Dvořák’s Symphony No 9 and American Suite, recorded with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble of which Stutzmann became Music Director in 2022.

Stutzmann also holds the post of Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, while other recent guest engagements have included with the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Munich Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. She will make a return to Bayreuth this summer.

Stutzmann’s most recent recordings for Erato were with her ensemble Orfeo 55, and released between 2014 and 2021: Heroes from the Shadows, Quella Fiamma and Contralto (an Editor’s Choice in March 2021). With the Philadelphia Orchestra she recently conducted Haochen Zhang in Beethoven’s piano concertos, released on BIS and an Editor’s Choice in January 2023.

Alain Lanceron, President of Warner Classics & Erato, says: 'Nathalie Stutzmann has indeed entered a “new world” as an artist in her evolution from singer to conductor. This Dvořák No 9 will stand as her first recording of a symphony, giving proof of her thrilling capacity for shedding fresh light on works of the core repertoire. Having followed Nathalie’s career since its early days, I can say that her interpretations – in their strength, honesty, insight and affection – are very much an expression of the person I have come to know over the years.'

Stutzmann herself said: 'I have a long and rich history of collaboration with this amazing group of people, who love the artists they work with and create a family atmosphere. They are led by Alain Lanceron whom I thank dearly for his support and truthfulness.

'It is a dream come true to work with a team that understands and respects the necessity for an artist to have the artistic freedom to create a true musical world, and to record works of immense beauty with my favourite orchestras in the world. Music is an eternal source of emotion and must be shared with the world as the best form of spiritual communication with the unknown and the meaning of life,' Stutzmann added.

Gramophone's Editor Emeritus James Jolly recently visited Stutzmann in Atlanta for a forthcoming cover feature, which you can read in our September issue. 

You can listen to Stutzmann's Atlanta recording of Dvořák's American Suite below as an Apple Music exclusive prior to the full album's release.