Mirga admits: Brexit is one reason I’m leaving Birmingham

From an interview today with Bavarian Radio:

BR-KLASSIK: You are now in the fifth season Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. So far, that has been an international success story. But you didn’t extend your contract beyond 2022. Why?

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla: In human life the question is always: What are you looking for, and what is most important to you? I am also saddened to take this step to leave this position at the CBSO. But for me it is just the right thing in this phase of my life. And I can look forward to further cooperation with the CBSO, which – I am quite sure – will be maintained.

BR-KLASSIK: You can of course also assume that it has something to do with Brexit, right?

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla: There are many reasons. And unfortunately, Brexit is also part of it somewhere.

BR-KLASSIK: … You are now leaving Birmingham a year early. That is actually a bad sign for UK culture.

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla : The question is what to look at. I think the orchestra is constantly on the lookout, evolving. The current corona time is anything but easy for the CBSO. Nevertheless, there are very strong currents that are very convincingly looking for something new, for something new, for example for even more connection to the city, to the children there, to the other artists and cultural organizations. I think that’s really great. And I see that from these seeds, which we have sown to a large extent together, but which of course also have a hundred years of history, a great deal will still emerge.

More here.