Jader Bignamini was onstage with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in May, conducting a brand-new piece as its composer watched from her seat. She promptly spotted something unusual: Bignamini had no music stand. He didn't have her score. He was conducting the world premiere of her work … from memory.

For DSO vice president and general manager Erik Ronmark — who was seated next to composer Veronika Krausas that night at Orchestra Hall — it’s the sort of delightful detail that reaffirms he landed the right guy in Bignamini, the orchestra’s new music director.