Breaking: Rattle extends with London while signing for Munich

Bavarian Radio has confirmed that Simon Rattle will become music director of its symphony orchestra from September 2023, a long time ahead.

The London Symphony Orchestra announced that Rattle, 66 this month, has extended his contract with them until 2023.

It’s looks like he’s trying to have his cake and eat it.

He certainly can’t do both jobs at the same time.

More follows.

UPDATE: The LSO has issued this statement through semi-gritted teeth:

David Alberman, Chair, and Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra: “Sir Simon Rattle will extend his current agreement with the London Symphony Orchestra as Music Director until 2023. In view of the special relationship the orchestra has with Sir Simon, he will take up a lifetime role as Conductor Emeritus from 2023 onwards, the first such appointment to this role since André Previn.   Simon will be taking forward a number of significant projects with us over the coming years working from our home base at the Barbican. These include a cycle of Janáček operas, a number of ambitious new commissions and his continued work with young people on our East London music education programmes. We want to thank Sir Simon for his immense and continuing contribution to the London Symphony Orchestra. Simon’s willingness to roll up his sleeves and champion the causes of Classical Music and Music Education in the U.K continues to be hugely important both for us and also for future generations in the UK.”

Sir Simon Rattle: “I am delighted that I will continue in my role as Music Director of the Orchestra for another three years, extending my contract until 2023, and that I will be able to remain closely associated with the orchestra into the future.  My reasons for accepting the role of Chief Conductor in Munich are entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way.  I love the London Symphony Orchestra. I remain committed to the LSO, and we have plans for major projects in the coming years. I am thrilled that we will be making music together far into the future.”

Statement from Bavarian Radio, wearing a huge grin:

Ulrich Wilhelm, Intendant des Bayerischen Rundfunks: The Bayerischer Rundfunk is delighted that Sir Simon is coming to Munich as our next Chief Conductor. With his passion, artistic versatility and winning charisma, he will be a most worthy successor to Mariss Jansons. Our Chorus and the Symphonieorchester look forward enormously to developing the artistic concept for the new concert hall in Munich’s Werksviertel Mitte together with Sir Simon, who is peerless in his advocacy for bringing the joy of music to people in new ways. I see this appointment as an important and forward-looking signal, particularly in a time in which the arts have faced unimagined challenges as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Sir Simon Rattle: Ich bin begeistert, die Position des Chefdirigenten von Chor und Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks anzunehmen. Es ist eine Ehre, die Nachfolge von Mariss Jansons anzutreten, und ich freue mich darauf, diese wunderbaren Musikerinnen und Musiker in den kommenden Jahren zu leiten. (I am thrilled to accept the position of Chief Conductor of the Symphonieorchester and BR Chorus. It is an honour to succeed Mariss Jansons in this role, and I look forward to leading these wonderful musicians for many years to come.)