Breaking: Susanna becomes Philharmonic conductor
UncategorizedTerrific news from Helsinki.
Susanna Mälkki, one of the most brilliant new-music interpreters, has been nominated as chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic from 2016. The city council is meeting today to approve the appointment. (UPDATE: It’s approved.)
Susanna was formerly head of the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris. She succeeds John Storgårds at the Helsinki Phil.
photo (c) Simon Fowler
h/t: Vesa Siren
Congratulations to both parties! It’s interesting to see whether this brings the HPO even closer to the FRSO in the repertoire. Both orchestras play already a lot of contemporary music.
Two questions: does “nominated’ mean it’s done? She got the job? 2) Why are you not putting her last name in the title of this article? Please let us all know. Thanks!
Yes, it’s approved as the update to the blog post shows. The original wording in Helsingin Sanomat was to the effect that Mälkki has promised to take the job on, as if the choice on the orchestra’s and the city’s part was never in question. The appointment is for three years (2016-19) with an option for another two.
Because Norman couldn’t find the big red A with an umlaut, I expect. Now, can we leave it at that?
Oh… for a second I thought Susanna of Le nozze di Figaro finally found her true calling… (for prewartreasure)
If figuring out how to produce the character is the issue, I find this resource to be useful.