Cleveland flies a new friend to Israel
OrchestrasThe Cleveland Orchestra has found a substitute for music director Franz Welser-Möst on its forthcoming Israel tour, its first-ever visit to the country.
The British conductor Daniel Harding, who made a belated debut in Cleveland a year ago, will jump in for Welser-Möst, who has taken a break for cancer treatment. Harding has cancelled how own dates with the San Francisco Symphony to make himself available.
Here’s the press release.
Daniel Harding has graciously agreed to step in for Music Director Franz Welser-Möst to lead the ensemble in its three-concert Israel debut next month. Welser-Möst has unfortunately had to withdraw from the Israel performances, which coincide with medical treatment he must undergo. His doctors are confident of a full recovery, and Welser-Möst plans to resume conducting in January 2024. He will conduct the opening of The Cleveland Orchestra season and the tour dates in Vienna on October 18 and Linz on October 20.
In Israel, The Cleveland Orchestra will perform at the Haifa Auditorium on October 26, the Charles Bronfman Auditorium at the Tel Aviv Culture Center on October 27, and at the Jerusalem Theatre on October 28. The program in all three cities now consists of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 and selected songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn and Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit, and features baritone Simon Keenlyside, a long-time Cleveland Orchestra collaborator.
Daniel Harding made his Cleveland Orchestra conducting debut in October 2022 at Severance Music Center. He is the Music and Artistic Director of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. He regularly works with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and Dresden Staatskapelle.
The Cleveland Orchestra extends its sincere gratitude to the San Francisco Symphony for graciously making it possible for Harding to conduct these concerts in Israel.
Is Welser-Most leaving Cleveland after his current contract expires? If so, and if they can’t snag Makela, this could be somewhat of an audition. And the fact that he ditched SF could mean he’s looking at it that way.
Who says FWM is leaving Cleveland? His contract is through the 2026-2027 session.
I’m by no means certain of that. I thought I read at some point that he had said this would be his last extension, but I could be wrong. They are certainly due for a change, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if ’27 is the end for him.
It sounds like there is some wishful thinking on your part.
“Due for a change” because it’s been too many years that FWM and TCO have set the gold standard for orchestral sound and ensemble playing?
I have no skin in this game as I don’t live near Cleveland. But yes, my opinion is that the C.O. is way overdue for a change in musical leadership. And that’s not exactly going out on a limb. It’s been a widely held view for a while at this point. They play great for him, but he’s not an interesting conductor from an interpretive standpoint. And my opinion is based at least partially on my impressions from seeing them live under his baton several times.
Definitely the gold standard for dirty auditions.
I think you are jumping the gun. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
What are the details of him “snubbing” San Francisco?
Everyone wants Makela, but he’s already in Paris, Oslo and Amsterdam. Do you think it reasonable that he go to Cleveland before Chicago, which wants him? I don’t think he will likely partition his work so severely for anyone.
What a slap in the face of San Francisco, “graciously” or not.
Then l looked at Harding’s program in San Francisco … Holst The Planets. No wonder he bailed. What a slap in his face for assigning him that. And no Wonder San Francisco let him go, any assistant conductor for no extra fees can conduct The Planets.
Flight Harding, you’re cleared for take off.
Anyone can conduct The Planets, but a great conductor can reveal it as a masterpiece – check out Adrian Boult’s recordings with their lack of sentimentality and urgent but never rushed pulse, or Vladimir Jurowsky’s endless revelations of hidden details in his with the LPO.
Harding is also doing Planets with Chicago in November. It must be something he believes in.
Harding is promoting his latest album which is a recording of the Planets with the BRSO.
Did you see what else is on the program? Well, it’s Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge. The program was to feature an English conductor conducting English composers. I have no idea who picked the pieces but it sounds good to me. I hope who ever takes Harding’s place keeps the concert as planned. Sir Adrian Boult’s multiple recordings are my benchmarks but I and others like to hear it in concert for the full effect. So there!
Harding has just recorded The Planets with the Bavarian Radio. He’s been performing it quite a bit and has put it on his programs this season. It’s a big piece with a lot of performers so orchestras don’t just hand it out to anyone.
Harding is already on this year’s schedule, so, yes, they must be considering him. I also saw that Canellakis has part of their Miami residency, so maybe she’s in the mix as well.
Cleveland has never had an MD who lacked a strong connection with Vienna.
This is also the first time Harding is conducting in Israel. He never conducted the IPO.
He tends to restrict himself to world-class orchestras.
I think you shot yourself in the foot with your recommendation of Jurowski. The Worst Planets Ever (apart from the hopeless M Brabbyns…), zero understanding. To be fair, the 2nd half was better: Schönburp 5 Noises, then Skriabin PROMethée…fabulous!
I don’t think too much can be read into this other than the fact Cleveland asked him to guest conduct in Israel
Sadly, he does not fit into the type hired by Cleveland to be their music director. He’s British and Cleveland has never hired a Brit to my knowledge. Usually either Germans or Central Europeans. I expect Symen Bichkov to be named their next MD.
Also, it is too sudden after Franz WM’s illness.
Any relation to Semyon Bychkov?
If FWM’s contact is not going to be renewed in Cleveland, it’s certainly time to start looking for a replacement, particularly with Chicago’s post being open. Cleveland certainly won’t do anything now while he is ill.
However, audience numbers are down unless there’s a good guest conductor, but large donations are strong. I don’t see another top tier post being available for FWM, and Cleveland management tends to believe its own hype despite plenty of evidence to the contrary. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen.
Based on Cleveland’s history, look to someone who is MD of an opera house if and when it is time to find a replacement. Otherwise, there are many conductors who have been making strong impressions in Cleveland recently. Some of which have recently secured top posts, and may not be available.
For now, I don’t read much into the Harding announcement for the Israel tour substitution on his future in Cleveland. He’s a very good conductor who often conducts the best orchestras and can be prepared to conduct a complex Mahler score in the near future (it is on his agenda for next year elsewhere). Cleveland still has clout to be able to secure him for this tour. Wait until December when he conducts Mahler 4 in Cleveland. That might give more clues.
How about Wien philharmony Japan Tour ?
Daniel is a great conductor and a good Choice to replace Mr. W-Möst!
Some Mahler, how audacious!