David Zinman, a leading American conductor, is renowned for his extensive repertoire that includes a strong focus on contemporary music in both North America and Europe. Zinman, originally a violinist, studied at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and later pursued a Masters in composition at the University of Minnesota. He gained recognition under the mentorship of French conductor Pierre Monteux, serving as his assistant from 1961 to 1963, before embarking on successful tenures with the Nederlands Kammerorkest and Rotterdam Philharmonic.

Zinman's career has been marked by a commitment to diverse programming and innovative initiatives, such as introducing a summer music festival and a Discovery series of contemporary music during his time with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. His acclaimed recordings on labels like Telarc and Sony Classics showcase his range, from traditional Elgar symphonies to avant-garde works like Michael Daugherty's Metropolis Symphony. Zinman's advocacy for a new wave of American symphonic music, characterized by tonal compositions with influences from popular and jazz music, has garnered both controversy and praise, attracting a wide audience to the genre.