Exclusive: Met’s principal flute quits for LA Phil
mainWe understand that Denis Bouriakov has won the audition for principal flute at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and will head west in November, as soon as his Met contract comes to an end.
Denis, 33, Ukraine born, has been one of the Met orchestra’s stars, sharing the principal seat with Stefan Rangar Hoskuldsson. His departure will be a blow for Levine’s ensemble and reflects continuing unhappiness among musicians after the labour dispute provoked last year by Peter Gelb.
Gustavo Dudamel, on the other hand, is said to be ‘delighted’.
UPDATE: Now the Met’s other principal flute resigns.
If I were the New York Phil, I’d get the principal flautist from the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. I am sure that he is just as good, and much younger.