Cleveland names its next conductors
OrchestrasThe Cleveland Orchestra rolled out its next season today with all eyes focused on who might succeed Franz Welser-Möst and music director in 2027.
There will be three conductor-composers:
On October 10, 12, and 13 Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts his Cello Concerto, originally commissioned for Yo-Yo Ma. Performing the work with Salonen is Finnish cellist Senja Rummukainen.
Tan Dun makes his Cleveland Orchestra debut on October 31 and November 2. He conducts both his Water Concerto and Concerto for Orchestra.
Thomas Adès returns on February 20 and 22 to conduct his own America: A Prophecy, in a new version co-commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra alongside works by Sibelius, Saariaho, and Ives.
Other conductors are: Daniel Harding, Klaus Mäkelä, David Robertson, Pablo Heras-Casado, Stéphane Denève, Elim Chan, Fabio Luisi, Alan Gilbert and Bernard Labadie, with debuts for Thomas Guggeis and Kazuki Yamada.
I don’t know how much of a history he has with Cleveland, but Luisi would probably be my pick out of that group, especially given that NL has already posted a quote from Salonen indicating that he’s not in the market for another MD position.
Of course, Luisi has at least a couple other posts and would have to be willing to give up at least one of them.
Not gonna happen, unless as a stopgap “Musical Adviser” the way Boulez was. Luisi will be 70 at the end of FWM’s term and Cleveland hires for the long haul (FWM is IIRC only the orchestra’s 7th music director). Figure on someone who will be no older than about mid-50s in 2027.
You are probably right. I didn’t realize he’d be that old. Although the Philadelphia hired Sawallisch at about that age and he gave them a wonderful decade of music-making.
Salonen is as credible as Trump in that when he left Los Angeles he clearly said he was not in the market for another MD position. Really? Well, after the Philharmonia and now San Francisco, how certain are you of his word here? He’s a fine conductor and interest composer, but he’s still quite young so I’d not believe a word as I think he will likely rescind his word—for a third time.
I read “not in the market” differently than you.
It is a great tragedy, when conductors spend time in composing, amusing themselves with the idea that they can.
Oh, so it`s a Cello Concerto for Salonen? How about a banjo, with a guest soloist, a cat in pain (owing to the “music”).
My only live experience with Luisi conducting was a performance of the Alpine Symphony, one of the most lame, unexciting that I’ve ever heard. Result I’m not exactly a fan
His Philadelphia appearances, which have occurred with regularity in recent years, have generally been very good.
He is the only conductor who can get the sound Sawallisch did, which I guess is appropriate because Sawallisch was his idol. Had Luisi been on their radar 20 years ago, the last two decades in Philadelphia might have been very different.
I agree with all that. They really bungled the search for Sawallisch’s successor very badly.
I would love to see Wayne Marshall conduct this great orchestra. Saw him conduct the Chicago Symphony a couple of years back and he is phenomenal.
They definitely should invite him. I saw Wayne Marshall in Baltimore a couple weeks ago, and the concert was wonderful. His combination of skills as pianist, organist, and conductor, make for very compelling music making.
Who knew there were so many people down on Wayne Marshall? Anyone care to elaborate?
Tan Dun can’t conduct for toffee.
Historically, Cleveland has opted for an experienced opera conductor from Szell to the present. That would make Luisi a strong contender.
No doubts for me: Fabio Luisi is the perfect choice for The Cleveland Orchestra.
Cleveland will pick an American, which for simplicity’s sake let’s define as someone born and bred in the ol’ US of A, which means it’s down to Robertson and Gilbert.
If the Cleveland Orchestra were to choose either David Robertson or Alan Gilbert as its next music director, most commentators would end up stating that it was a “surprise” choice. Nevertheless, despite the critical views — especially of Gilbert — they both have the experience and stature to legitimately be considered candidates for the position. However, that is a completely different scenario from whether one or both have now put themselves forwardly as a music director candidate as opposed to only being interested in continuing to be a returning guest conductor.
I suspect Alan Gilbert is quite happily ensconced in Hamburg and Stockholm, and feels no need to come back for any U.S. job. But I could be wrong.
Norman there’s no Hrusa? I would have thought that with Makela likely going to CSO, he would be their top choice.
It’s an interesting line up next year. But two Tchaikovsky symphonies? Only one Mahler. A real rarity for Cleveland, or the USA for that matter: Elgar 1. Two Prokofieff symphonies – 3 and 4. Maybe they’re making a cycle? If those two come off as well as their recent 5th it will be a great treat.
And 2 Haydn Symphonies!
You can argue they are doing two Mahler symphonies, if you count Das Lied von Der Erde. Mahler didn’t call it his ninth due to the curse of the 9th thing, thought he got away with it then titled his next symphony the ninth. We all know what happened…..
I hope Elim Chan gets the job she’s a darling of American music critics and will make history in Cleveland as first-ever Asian female music director.
I would love to see Eun Sun Kim (San Fran Opera) as a guest there in Cleveland to see what chemistry develops!
Oh no, please! I saw her La Boheme at the Met and it was one of the most uninspiring performances I ever experienced. Rumor also circled that she is a very condescending leader in her own opera company. Not really for the prime!
Tan will be selected. CO is full on woke now and his appointment promises millions from the CCP. Wish they could bring Szell back from the dead.
I miss Szell every day. I had the honor of playing under his direction from 1967-1970 in Cleveland. A complete genius!
Try to think of the future inspite of your age.
Nicholas Harnoncourt would disagree. Strongly.
Which is one more in favor of Szell.
Personally, none of them are among my favorites, but put to choose, I would opt for Szell without thinking twince.
Where are the women? This is totally biased and unacceptable in 2024! I am appalled.
Blokes bloking …. Unsurprised but consistently disappointing.
Elim Chan is on the list.
Longtime subscriber with a few thoughts:
I am really excited to see the young Thomas Guggeis(I think he’s 30). Has an impressive background, particularly in opera.
Sadly no Vasily Petrenko. His Walton Symphony was IMO the best Cleveland Orchestra concert last season, simply staggering! Was hoping Raphael Payare would come back. He was electrifying in his Severance debut last spring.
Luisi could fill in as a stop gap. The way conductors are being signed these days, maybe they’ve got Makela signed to a contract beginning in 2037….I’m hoping that’s a joke….
Alan Gilbert started out in Cleveland as an assistant under Dohnanyi…his concerts here are always excellent …
Gotta run .. intermission is over…Cleveland is doing Bruckner 4 today…
Agree about the Petrenko Walton. It’s not often done by a US orchestra and I traveled from NYC to hear it. It was absolutely superb in both performances (Fri and Sat). Lovely auditorium with very good (though not stellar) sound. On the Friday there was a large dog in one of the boxes – he was very attentive and made no sound at all. A good model for all attendees!
Given that there is probably no other orchestra that has been so defined by a series of long-tenured conductors — Szell, Dohnanyi, and FWM alone account for nearly 70 years of the orchestra’s history — I don’t see them picking anyone older than 55.
I assume it’s KM’s job if he wants it.
Pablo Heras-Casado wouldn’t surprise me. He may not be well known in the US, but in Europe he’s conducted a lot of top orchestras and appeared at prestigious festivals. Plus, Cleveland will like his opera chops and that he’ll be able to carry on their tradition of opera performances.
Who has ever heard of a music director or music director designate of Concertgebouw feeling he ought to compete for a top American job? Let Makela have Chicago if he likes, a better match for him than either Cleveland or Concertgebouw.
It will be Gilbert.
He’s solid.
It would be fitting to see him come and thrive in Cleveland, after a tenure in New York so many folks (on SD included) seem to think was a letdown. Though I think that always said more about them than about Gilbert.
I posted this on another Salonen article, might as well re-post it here, where it’s more relevant.
Food for thought for conductors considering offers from these cities searching for an MD.
Crime rate rankings:
For “murder and non-negligent manslaughter”:
#7: Cleveland
#14: Chicago
#63: Los Angeles
#66: San Francisco
For “rape”:
#3: Cleveland
#35: Chicago
#43: Los Angeles
#67: San Francisco
For “robbery”
#2: Cleveland
#8: Chicago
#20: San Francisco
#29: Los Angeles
“Total Violent Crime”
#7: Cleveland
#17: Chicago
#32: Los Angeles
#37: San Francisco
Congratulations Cleveland, I don’t know if Cleveland is America’s “finest”, but it certainly is ranked number 1 among the Big 7 Orchestras, and the only one to make the Top 10 nationwide, in every category of “violent crime”.
Cleveland just made a list reported last week in Yahoo Finance of the unhappiest cities in America, Cleveland came in at a strong #4. https://shorturl.at/npsH9
The conductors won’t be living and working where the bad things happen. None of that is relevant,
You’re not from around here, are you, waw. While the city proper’s population has shrunk to less than half its peak, the metropolitan area is solid. I pay attention, and the crime rates vary widely by neighborhood. As Enquiring Mind notes, this is not where the conductors, nor the musicians for that fact, stay. University Circle, the orchestra’s home, is thriving and growing. Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights are the immediate suburbs. No worries.
Your gloating, I must say, speaks volumes.
I love Heras-Casado. Heard him conduct the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra in Berlin several years ago, and he was marvelous. Even then, I thought he would be great for the CO.
Look at all those women conductors and composers… overwhelmed!
Consider that Cleveland generally has an impressive list of guest conductors and likely booked a number of these people before FWM ever announced he would be leaving. So quite likely many/most are just coming because, well, they were offered a week and who says no to Cleveland? And some of them, like Luisi, are under contract with other orchestras for a while. And perhaps happily so.
Very little Bruckner in the US in his 200th anniversary year. Don’t think much will turn up with the upcoming announcements From the New York Phil ( pretty late this year ) or the BSO.
You’ll have to go to Chicago in November for Bruckner. CSO will be performing the 3rd, and the Berlin Phil will be performing the 5th Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Luisi is back in Cleveland February ’25 for the 7th. Hopefully NY Phil and BSO will add to that.
That’s a good thing. The most-boring of symphonists. There is so much better music that needs playing.
I had high hopes that Gianandrea Noseda would be considered as a contender.
We need him in Washington.
Not nearly enough Americans being considered. Do they just look at the rosters of major agents?
Just heard tonight’s concert with last minute maestro David Afkham taking over for new dad Lahav Shani. Precise, passionate, and unaffected. TCO’s fastidiousness was coaxed into a lushness that was thrilling. Baeatirc Rana in Rach2 was a perfect fit of orchestra, conductor, and soloist. Bartok Concerto for orchestra was lights out.
I’m in my sixth year of subscribing to the whole season. One can almost get placidly complacent about the orchestra’s impeccable playing, and this concert was a welcome shakeup. Management best add Afkham to their short list.