World-famous conductor to receive UQ honorary doctorate

Internationally renowned conductor Maestro Werner Andreas Albert will receive an honorary doctorate from The University of Queensland at a special Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) concert this Friday evening (April 30).

Maestro Albert will be presented with a Doctor of Music honoris causa in recognition of his distinguished career and contributions to the University at a performance of classical works by the QSO at the QPAC Concert Hall from 7pm on Friday. Click here for full citation.

Maestro Albert will also be guest conductor at the concert entitled "Lux Aeterna" (meaning "eternal light" in Latin) which features Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber, Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 and Mozart’s Requiem.

Maestro Albert has had long and valued association with the University’s School of Music spanning the past 30 years including his current role as an Adjunct Professor. During this time, he has mentored and advised countless numbers of staff and students in the School as well as throughout the world.

He was instrumental in establishing the Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting at UQ, the first of its kind in Australia.

Conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on Friday will be familiar ground for Maestro Albert – he was the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor for eight years until 1990, and Principal Conductor of the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra for three years from 1995.

His own talent as a conductor was recognised at an early age when, as a student, he was selected for a hotly contested two-year personal study with the late Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Recordings have featured prominently in his career. He is highly regarded as a connoisseur's conductor, and is the most recorded artist in Germany, where he records extensively for the highly respected independent record label CPO and the German radio networks.

Werner has been recognised and honoured repeatedly by both the Bavarian State and German Federal Government for his dedication to music. He divides his time between Nuremburg and Pullenvale, where he has lived since 1981.

Media: Shirley Glaister (3365 1931) or Jo Anne Gante at the School of Music (3365 3952).