Exclusive: Berlin Philharmonic picks Australian principal
NewsWe understand that Sydneysider Jonathon Ramsay has won the audition for principal trombone in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
He will inherit the seat from Christhard Gössling, who will retire this summer after 39 years in the orchestra.
Jono Ramsay will have to serve a probationary period before obtaining tenure.
Ramsay came to Europe in 2018 to join the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker. In April 2022 he became a member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. In December 2022 he was named principal trombone of the Munich Philharmonic.
Weeks later, he’s off to Berlin.
A dizzying slide?
That’s a good streak of form; winning two big auditions within a matter of weeks.
Actially he won Munich’s audition in 2021 and start working with them in beginning 2022 and last December he just passed his trial year/probejahr.
3 big auditions :-))))
And what was that 3rd audition?
It’s easy when you are on the top.
Apparently ‘Mercury in retrograde’ didn’t effect Mr. Ramsey’s slide and thumb trigger valve. They both worked for at least two auditions.
As a trombonist, I sure do appreciate you slipping the word “slide” into your article, NL.
I knew this!! After leaving Karajan Academy I’ve spotted him many times guesting with there playing almost all trombone parts + once also bass trumpet. I think that it was obvious that the section likes him because he has guested a lot with them.
So when this principal audition published I was 99,99 % sure that he must be their new principal in future – and now he will! Huge congrats to Mr. Ramsey! He well me more than an excellent new player to their brass ranks
But at the same time I feel a bit sad for Munich because they got over 5 years to replace David Rejano Cantero and now they have start that process again
True… Munich took too long to fill the seat.
That’s incredible news. Jono is a fantastic musician. He also knows how to handle a euphonium pretty well. Congrats Jono.
Bravo Jono, spectacular!
Must be a hell of a talent. Glad to see representation from down under. I will drink a Fosters tonight to commerate!
He’s not the only Australian principal in that orchestra: Matthew McDonald from Canberra is principal bass.
Reminds me of Rudolf Kempe : named Solo-Oboist in Dortmund at 19. Nicked by the Gewandhaus few weeks later…
Congrats to him! Also recently noticed that they filled the position of Mor Biron with Barbara Kehrig (formerly contrabassoon at Berlin’s Konzerthaus). Kind of ironic considering his statements when he quit.
Yep, I though absolutely same like you. And like Biron – Kehrig is also former Karajan academist back to over 20 years ago
Gössling’s retirement marks the end of an era of BPO brass section. Also he’s a very relevant player and member of the orchestra. Good luck to Ramsay in this new path.