After six seasons, Tucson Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Steven Moeckel is leaving the orchestra to take the concertmaster position with the Phoenix Symphony.
"I have enjoyed my time as the TSO concertmaster more than I can say, but this is a great opportunity for me and I am excited about pursuing it," Moeckel said in a written release. He was performing in Europe and could not be reached for additional comment.
Moeckel will still perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto to open the TSO's 80th anniversary season Sept. 25-26, and he will perform concertmaster recitals Nov. 16 and Feb. 1, TSO spokesman Terry Marshall said Thursday.
Moeckel came to the TSO in 2002 when he was 24 years old, and introduced himself to Tucson by performing Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major. Every year after, Moeckel performed a concerto and participated in numerous concertmaster recitals.
He also has been a regular guest with several community orchestras, including the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. Last month, he was concertmaster of the St. Andrew's Bach Society orchestra when it performed Bach's Mass in B minor.
"Steven brought world-class violin playing and a level of musical leadership that an orchestra our size doesn't always attract," TSO music director George Hanson said. "He could have left us after two or three years, and that would have been the norm. Frankly, if we were a normal orchestra for our budget, I don't think he would have stuck around as long as he did."
Associate concertmaster Carla Ecker will assume the interim concertmaster role while the orchestra conducts a search to replace Moeckel, TSO Executive Director Susan Franano said in a written release.
Moeckel is the second TSO principal player to go to Phoenix; principal flutist Viviana Cumplido left in 2006.
Phoenix Symphony officials could not be reached.
