Just in: Berlin Philharmonic manager quits
mainMartin Hoffmann, Intendant of the Berliner Philharmoniker, has told Der Tagespiegel today that he is leaving next year, in August 2017, around the time that Simon Rattle steps down as music director.
Hoffmann gives no reason, except to say the the coming of a new music director warrants a management change. The orchestra divided deeply last year over electing a successor to Rattle and the two or three seasons before Kirill Petrenko is prepared to take over the baton will not be easy to manage.
Hoffmann, 56, took the job in 2010 with no experience of orchestral management. His previous career had been in satellite television and film production. He is reckoned to have held a steady tiller in a turbulent sea.
The orchestra has expressed regret at his early exit.
He has done a terrific job under extremely difficult circumstances. The bush telegraph is reporting that Gehmacher from Luxemburg is likely to replace him.