English conductor quits

English conductor quits

News

norman lebrecht

February 08, 2022

Scherzo reports that Paul Daniel is stepping down as music director of the Real Filharmonía de Galicia before the year is out.

He says: “It is very difficult to find a way to make a decision like this because my relationship with the RFG is long and full of unforgettable memories…. However, I remember well that, at the beginning of my term, I declared that I considered that no regular director should hold the position for more than ten years. . At that time, none of us knew how things would go and today I feel like the luckiest conductor in the world to have worked all this time in such a positive and fruitful way with such a wonderful group of musicians and professionals that make up the Royal Philharmonic of Galicia.’

Daniel, 63, is a former music director of English National Opera.

 

 

Comments

  • Maria says:

    Wise guy to stick to his word, and be principled. Conductors, directors, and anywhere else in life, stay on far too long that becomes not beneficial to either the organisation or themselves. Wish Paul well with his next venture. Remember warmly his Peter Grimes in Aldeburgh many years ago with ENO.

    • Piston1 says:

      Tell that to the Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz, St Louis/Vladimir Golschmann, Chicago/George Solti, Cleveland/George Szell, Halle/John Barbirolli, Rattle/CBSO, San Francisco/MTT…..compared to what they’ve recently been going through these days, they never had it so good. The long-term marriage of Buffalo/JoAnn Falletta remains a beacon of hope in this industry

      • The View from America says:

        I can see the merits of both sides of this discussion.

        What it boils down to is this: If the music-making is strong and the chemistry is right (with players, orchestra management and the wider community), then a long MD tenure benefits everyone. (What you write about the Buffalo Philharmonic and their conductor certainly fits with the above.)

        But if that isn’t the case, then a parting of the ways after a few concert seasons is what’s best for all. This is the more common experience, unfortunately (most of us can think of examples that spring immediately to mind) … but this is also how things improve over time, which is the good news.

      • Arlene says:

        MTT was with SFO for 25 years…a long time for such a busy conductor! His career is global! JoAnn Falletta is not in the same league, talented as she is. She is not invited all over the world to guest conduct, compose orchestral pieces, lecture. She has one thing in common with MTT – he was music director in Buffalo for a few years.

      • BRUCEB says:

        There are lots of orchestras, big and small, that suffer from music directors who won’t leave. (See Boston/Ozawa, Met Opera/Levine, and countless smaller orchestras across the US and probably everywhere. Regardless of what you think of Boston & the Met’s luck & judgment since their long-time MDs left, the fact remains that they were no longer providing a way forward for their groups, and were in fact stifling them artistically.)

        The ones with long, happy, productive marriages should realize how lucky they are.

  • Bonetti Micaela says:

    Wonderful artist!
    Wish him the best musical future possible!

  • fflambeau says:

    It’s an excellent group and kudos to him for staying there so long. He’s done a great job.

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