Warsaw’s Kord Takes Pacific Symphony Post

As expected, Warsaw Philharmonic conductor Kazimierz Kord has accepted an offer to become the Pacific Symphony’s principal guest conductor and music adviser in the 1989-90 season, orchestra officials announced Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the orchestra’s board has renewed the contract of Executive Director Louis G. Spisto through May, 1990, and has amended its bylaws to prevent paid orchestra staff from serving as voting board members. The only person affected would be the outgoing conductor, Keith Clark. A spokesman would not say whether the change will go into effect now, or when Clark steps down.

Kord, 57, will conduct six concerts at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and will advise the Pacific Symphony’s management in scheduling artists and repertoire for the season, said W. Andrew Powell, the orchestra’s marketing director. Further details of the Kord and Spisto contracts were not revealed.

Kord has been music director of the Warsaw Philharmonic since 1977 and has conducted several American orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, the San Francisco Opera and, in April, the Pacific Symphony. The orchestra’s board has been negotiating with Kord for several months and voted in May to offer him a post for the 1989-90 season. Kord will continue to live in Warsaw.