Ridiculous title for royal conductor

Sir John Eliot Gardiner, 80 today and soon to conduct at King Charles’s Coronation, has been awarded an emeritus title by the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Even by the pointlessness of such titles, this one stands out as absurd.

JEG is to be known as Principal Guest Conductor Emeritus of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The orchestra adds: ‘Following a gap of 23 years, the Orchestra was thrilled to reignite its relationship with Sir John Eliot Gardiner during the Covid lockdowns, with a streamed performance of Elgar’s Enigma Variations.’

Gardiner says: ‘I’m greatly honoured to accept this title which the Philharmonia have conferred on me. Re-establishing contact with this magnificent Orchestra feels like a wonderful homecoming. It’s been a delight to re-encounter the translucent warmth of the legendary Philharmonia string sound, to rediscover and admire the individual character and musicality of their woodwind principals and the burnished sonority of their brass section. I am excited by this opportunity to renew and deepen my fruitful association with this flexible and open-minded body of musicians, and the chance it gives to cement the links with them by developing fresh ways to explore both familiar and unchartered areas of the symphonic repertoire.’