Year in preview: 2015 in classical music

James Chute, U-T San Diego, 2nd January 2015

It’s a time of change for San Diego’s classical music organizations. Whether embracing new priorities, new leadership or new opportunities, the city’s key musical institutions are in transition. Here are five to watch in 2015:

Mainly Mozart

Mainly Mozart’s new music director, Michael Francis, officially begins his tenure in 2015, and his presence should be transformational for the 26-year-old organization. As Francis demonstrated when guest-conducting the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra in 2014, he knows how to conduct and communicate. His appointment was especially welcomed by the musicians, who embraced the British-born conductor and performed with him at a high level.

While Mainly Mozart founder David Atherton, who left the orchestra in 2013 after 25 years, had defused the organization’s Mozart focus, Francis aims to bring that focus back. And while Atherton seemed to have little interest in Mainly Mozart’s other offerings, including chamber music and a youth orchestra, Francis aspires to make sure everything is working together.

Look for him to give the organization, and his individual concerts, a welcome coherence.