Salonen to take over at London-based Philharmonia November 22
2006
The Philharmonia Orchestra has confirmed that Esa-Pekka Salonen will take over as principal conductor and artistic advisor from the 2008/09 season, after what the orchestra’s managing director described as “the longest courtship in history”.
The Finnish conductor and composer first worked with the orchestra aged 25, when in 1983 he stepped in at the last minute for an indisposed Michael Tilson Thomas to conduct Mahler’s Third Symphony. From that year until 1992 – the year he was appointed music director of the LA Philharmonic, a position he still holds – he was the Philharmonia's principal guest conductor. He has worked consistently with them ever since, including conducting what the orchestra calls "the first fully interactive live orchestral audio-visual webcast", in April 2005.
The Philharmonia Orchestra has confirmed that Esa-Pekka Salonen will take over as principal conductor and artistic advisor from the 2008/09 season, after what the orchestra’s managing director described as “the longest courtship in history”.
The Finnish conductor and composer first worked with the orchestra aged 25, when in 1983 he stepped in at the last minute for an indisposed Michael Tilson Thomas to conduct Mahler’s Third Symphony. From that year until 1992 – the year he was appointed music director of the LA Philharmonic, a position he still holds – he was the Philharmonia's principal guest conductor. He has worked consistently with them ever since, including conducting what the orchestra calls "the first fully interactive live orchestral audio-visual webcast", in April 2005.
Commenting on his appointment, Salonen said: “The
Philharmonia is a unique ensemble. It is flexible, has immense
commitment, energy, imagination and a spirit of adventure that I
find inspiring and with which I feel at home.”
Salonen succeeds Christoph von Dohnányi, who will take on the
title honorary conductor for life, and who said: “I can think of
no one better suited to take over the helm of this great orchestra,
and look forward to working closely with him to realise our shared
ambitions for the future”.
David Whelton, the Philharmonia’s managing director described
the appointment as both a dream and the very best possible
succession for Dohnányi. “On the day that Esa-Pekka Salonen
signed his contract, we agreed that the relationship between him
and the Philharmonia must be the longest courtship in history. I
think it is true to say that the Orchestra has been utterly
captivated by him ever since their extraordinary first
collaboration in 1983.”
Salonen’s first season with the Philharmonia, which is based
at London’s Royal Festival Hall, will begin with a project
exploring the cultural influences of fin de siècle Vienna. More
immediately, he will conduct Mahler song-cycles in three concerts,
December 9-19.
With Valery Gergiev taking over the London Symphony Orchestra
in January, Vladimir Jurowski becoming the London Philharmonic’s
principal conductor in September, and now Salonen’s appointment at
the Philharmonia, it looks as if an exciting new chapter for London
orchestras is beginning.
Martin Cullingford, Gramophone
