Yannick: I’ll be 55 before I leave Philly

The music and artistic director has been talking about his elongated contract.

‘It seems so far away, 2030; I’ll be 55 years old! I can’t believe it, but at the same time I’m moved because I feel so much that the Orchestra is my family — that Philadelphia is my home, has been my home now for many years. And we started discussions for renewal — and early renewal, because that’s what it is, to renew like this so soon before my contract was supposed to end. I think it’s a way of dreaming together even more, and knowing that we can imagine the future together without — on my end, or on the Orchestra’s end — wondering, questioning: “What will be the next phase? The next chapter?” We can still write it together.

‘And this is because, on my part, I feel like the work that we’ve been doing together is starting to be even more recognized in Philadelphia and abroad. And I think we’re doing something important for classical music in general, and it’s a winning team. And so who wants to stop a winning team? But most important, I’m especially grateful that the Orchestra is trusting me to stay longer like this.’

Over the first 10 years, he has replaced 23 musicians and commissioned 37 works.

More here.