Edouard van Remoortel

Who was Edouard van Remoortel?

Edouard van Remoortel was a Belgian conductor. He studied cello and conducting at the Brussels conservatory. He was affiliated with the Belgian National Orchestra as of 1951.

From 1958 to 1962, van Remoortel was music director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed after a successful guest-conducting appearance with the SLSO. However, troubles soon developed between him and the orchestra, because of his relative youth and conducting inexperience, and also because of personality clashes with the musicians. In his first season, he attempted to dismiss 42 of the orchestra's musicians, and in return, they voted at one point not to play for him. His last season with the SLSO featured him as conductor in only seven subscription concerts, and his contract was not renewed. While in St. Louis, van Remoortel did make a guest conducting appearance with the St. Louis Philharmonic, a non-professional community orchestra separate from the SLSO.