LSO upgrades its conductor list
mainWith the coming of Simon Rattle, the London Symphony Orchestra has upped its game, shuffling off two veterans into honorific titles and securing longterm ties with two younger men, Gianandrea Noseda and Daniel Harding.
Press release follows.
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ITS FAMILY OF CONDUCTORS FROM THE 2016/17 SEASON
- GIANANDREA NOSEDA BECOMES PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR
- MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS BECOMES CONDUCTOR LAUREATE
- ANDRÉ PREVIN BECOMES CONDUCTOR EMERITUS
The London Symphony Orchestra today announces exciting changes to its line-up of conductors, taking effect from the 2016/17 season. Gianandrea Noseda joins Daniel Harding as Principal Guest Conductor; Michael Tilson Thomas becomes Conductor Laureate; and André Previn becomes Conductor Emeritus.
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the LSO said: “The LSO warmly welcomes Gianandrea Noseda as Principal Guest Conductor, joining Daniel Harding, and that Michael Tilson Thomas and André Previn, who both have a long and illustrious history with the LSO, will strengthen their bond as Conductors Laureate and Emeritus respectively. Following our appointment of Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director from 2017/18 these changes bring together a world-class family of conductors, including our Assistant Conductor Elim Chan, who will bring the richest music-making to the LSO’s audiences around the world in the years ahead.”
Lennox Mackenzie, LSO Chairman and Sub-leader, said: “I am so delighted than Gianandrea Noseda has agreed to become Principal Guest Conductor of the LSO alongside Daniel Harding. Gianandrea forever displays extraordinary energy and passion in his music-making and inspires our Orchestra to thrilling, moving and memorable concerts. I am always so impressed with his total commitment to rigorously scrutinising and following the composers’ wishes before adding his engaging interpretation. We have so many fond memories of music-making with him already, exhibiting an amazingly eclectic repertoire. I am also thrilled that our relationships with Michael Tilson Thomas and André Previn in their new roles of Conductor Laureate and Conductor Emeritus continue to thrive with exciting plans for the future. Their prodigious musical gifts apart, they truly are great friends of the LSO.”
Gianandrea Noseda said: “It’s a privilege for me to become a part of one of the greatest orchestras in the world. I felt an immediate connection with the artists in the LSO during our first meeting in 2008. Together we have pursued the highest possible level of music-making which is the ultimate aim for any musician. Since then we have explored the widest possible repertoire including Britten’s War Requiem, Verdi’s Rigoletto, the world premiere of Sally Beamish’s Equal Voices and music by Beethoven, Berg, Mahler, Shostakovich and many others. I have always appreciated the versatility of the LSO artists which along with their integrity and commitment, both in rehearsal and concert, makes any performance a special and unique experience. I am thrilled that this appointment gives me many more opportunities to continue developing our relationship and to achieve even more remarkable results in the months and years ahead.”
Michael Tilson Thomas said: “I am honoured to accept the title of Conductor Laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. Making music with the Orchestra for over 40 years has been one of the great joys of my life. I am delighted that we will continue our close working relationship into the future.”
Sir Simon Rattle said: “I am delighted that Gianandrea will become an even closer member of the LSO family. I have long admired his music-making, with its unusual marriage of lyricism and drama – and he is such a Mensch that I am sure it will be a very happy relationship going forward!”
Glad for Noseda. After some stagnant years he seems to have a run.
Why does a Music Director need 2 principal guest conductors? Is Sir Simon taking on the role of elder statesman and oracle, the actual traffic directing left to underlings? Perhaps he is planning on being Chief Architect and Brain behind his new London hall to be named, no doubt, the Sir Simon Rattle Hall.
Kidding aside, Noseda’s appointments show how shrewd Deborah Rutter, head of Kennedy Center, is in the business, by snagging Noseda early, in much the same way she snatched Muti from the NY Phil.
Principal Guest Conductors are not ‘assistants’ to Music Directors. They are guest conductors who work more regularly and closely with the orchestra at home and on tour than other guest conductors.
The “kidding aside” with which Cherrera begins his second paragraph seems to indicate that he is aware of that fact.
So Daniel Harding is out ?
Gilles, can you read ?
The press release says that Gianandrea Noseda is becoming a “Principal Guest Conductor of the LSO alongside Daniel Harding.” So no, Harding is not “out.” He has held that title since 2006, and will continue to do so.
No, Noseda and Harding are joint Principal Guests. Can’t you read ?
sorry guys but this is simply not a great roster….there are so many more exciting conductors around
Hmmmm…. such as WHO?
Robin Ticciati?
Andrew Manze?
What’s wrong with Manze?
Define “exciting” in this context. Doesn’t make sense to me.
André Previn becomes Conductor Soporificus. Did you see the orthopaedic chair he was lifted into last year to ‘conduct’ Rachmaninov 2 after his ex-wife had struggled to get him across the Barbican stage? Levine must be green with envy.
(chair, not wife). Of course, the LSO can’t just dump him. And, “kidding aside”, he did introduce me and probably many others to the 9 Vaughan Williams symphonies.
Leave him alone. Listen to his music.
Why mock a man who has done so much for British music during his long career for needing to be wheeled on, but none the less, then still manages to conduct a riveting evening of music? Or are you too ignorant to even know who he is?
Agree completely with these last two comments. Why picked at and on a man who has done so much for great music?
Where is Haitink?
I guess Laureate is better than Emeritus, right? Or are they both exactly the same as “ex”.
I think Emeritus means ‘You are too old and infirm to be of any practical use to us, but we would like to keep your name for PR purposes.’
What…no title for Gergiev? After his enormous contribution of THREE concerts at the Barbican this year, you would have thought he merited more consideration.