Eiji Oue

Eiji Oue, Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1995-2002.

Oue’s tenure in Minneapolis cannot be accounted a raging success. Attendance declined significantly during the seven seasons Oue spent in the Twin Cities, and ensemble standards deteriorated. Since his departure, Oue has not been invited back to conduct the Minnesota Orchestra as a guest.

In my view, the orchestra, as a courtesy, should invite Oue back for one week each year, a courtesy that—as a general rule—should be extended to former Music Directors of all orchestras.

I was never a fan of Oue, but I would much rather see him on the Minnesota Orchestra podium than the dog-eared roster of guest conductors the orchestra has been presenting in recent seasons.

Oue’s career is now centered in Europe.