Brandon Keith Brown, hired in May as music director of the Brown University Orchestra and visiting professor of music, was relieved of his conducting duties just days before he was to lead his first concerts this weekend.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brandon Keith Brown, hired in May as music director of the Brown University Orchestra and visiting professor of music, was relieved of his conducting duties just days before he was to lead his first concerts this weekend.

"Brandon Keith Brown is no longer serving in the role he took on this summer when he joined the university as visiting assistant professor of music and orchestra conductor," said Brown spokesman Brian Clark. "As for the reason, I am not at liberty to disclose details related to personnel, which we do not consider public."

Reached by The Providence Journal on Thursday afternoon, Brown said he was unable to comment.

According to The Brown Daily Herald, orchestral students had complained about Brown's leadership. Orchestra member Katerina Rademacher told the paper that Brown acted "in an intimidating manner that made students fearful and anxious to approach him."

Evan Browning, also a member of the orchestra, told The Journal that Brown came to the university with a set of standards designed for professional musicians, not students, and refused to compromise. He said orchestra members felt "chastised and belittled at every rehearsal."

Brown is a native of North Carolina and a 2011 graduate of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and winner of a Peabody Career Grant. He was a laureate of the Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition after conducting the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany. He has also conducted with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Daniel Harp, who teaches cello and chamber music in Brown's music department, will serve as guest conductor for this weekend's performances "It's a complicated thing, a chemistry element with the orchestra," Harp said of the university's decision to relieve Brown.

Despite coming in at the last minute, Harp said he's extremely familiar with the Brahms symphony the Brown University Orchestra is to play this weekend. "I have no qualms, no fears, no doubts that I can do it."

The orchestra is scheduled to perform Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Sayles Hall, featuring Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor.

— asmith@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7485

On Twitter: @asmith651