Breaking: Mirga steps down at Birmingham

It has just been announced that Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will end her term as music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the summer of 2022. She will have completed six years in the job and has agreed to continue as principal guest conductor for one season more.

She says: ‘I have decided to give up my position of Music Director of the CBSO at the end of the 2021/22 season and have happily accepted the orchestra’s invitation to become Principal Guest Conductor in the 2022/23 season. This is a deeply personal decision, reflecting my desire to step away from the organisational and administrative responsibilities of being a Music Director at this particular moment in my life and focusing more on my purely musical  activities. I have such admiration and great fondness for the musicians of the CBSO and I am absolutely delighted that we shall continue to make music together in the coming years.’

She means: Living in Salzburg, and with two small children, getting to and from Birmingham after Brexit will be a pain. In my mid-30s, I am ready for the next step.

photo: Chris Christodoulou

Mirga’s six years have been levitational for the CBSO. Every rehearsal has been fresh, uplifting and inspirational. She introduced a range of new music – notably Mieczysław Weinberg, winning Birmingham its first recordings on Deutsche Grammophon and a vista of new horizons. Like all the best artists, she leaves everyone wanting more.

UPDATE: We hear that Kazuki Yamada is extending as Principal Guest Conductor until the summer of 2023, giving the CBSO an added measure of continuity while it continues to develop local talent.

UPDATE2: Where next for Mirga?