Esa-Pekka Salonen to lead Philharmonia Orchestra in London

"I don't deny the news", says Salonen in phone interview with Helsingin Sanomat

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The British daily The Guardian revealed on Friday that the internationally acclaimed Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen is to succeed Christoph von Dohnányi as the principal conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.
      The information has not been confirmed elsewhere since the British newspaper's article late last week, but Helsingin Sanomat understands from a reliable source that the formal announcement will be made early this week.
      "In principle, I don't deny the rumour, but before an official press release has been issued I cannot further comment on it either", Salonen said when interviewed by this newspaper on the telephone on Saturday morning local time in California.
     
Along with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra is regarded as one of the top two symphony ensembles in London. Of the two, the Philharmonia Orchestra is considered the more progressive, and its renditions of contemporary works are generally held in high regard. This would seem to mesh well with Salonen's own ambitions in this department.
      Salonen's good friend, Valeri Gergiev, who is the general director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, has already been appointed as the new man in charge of the London Symphony Orchestra.
     
According to The Guardian, Salonen will also continue in his present role as the Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
      Salonen has previously told Helsingin Sanomat that these are the last years of him being at the helm of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Guardian is of the opinion that Salonen has raised the ensemble "to such a level that it is now regarded as America's top symphony orchestra".
      "The season with the LA Philharmonic will continue as normal for the time being. No great changes are expected in the immediate future", Salonen explained on Saturday. The conductor and the Los Angeles orchestra are reputed to have an "evergreen" contract clause that extends to 2009.
     
Salonen, who is also in great demand as a composer, is currently working on his first piano concerto, the premiere of which has been scheduled for February 1st 2007, with the New York Philharmonic under his charge and Yefim Bronfman as soloist.
      Salonen's breakthrough to the international music scene happened at the age of 25, when he conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra at short notice in a powerful rendition of Gustav Mahler's Third Symphony.
      Salonen has been in regular contact with the Philharmonia Orchestra ever since that first appearance in 1983. The fruits of this collaboration include several recordings, tours, and projects of various kinds. This Christmas Salonen will conduct the orchestra in four concerts in Britain.
      The news that the Philharmonia have secured his services will probably come as a blow to some in New York: it has been widely speculated that the prestigious New York Philharmonic were after Salonen's signature in addition to his taking the podium for that February performance.
     
Over the telephone, Salonen commented on these rumours by saying that he had seen at least a couple of dozen names mentioned as a possible successor to Lorin Maazel at the New York Philharmonic, but that he was not in negotiations with either the Philharmonic or any other North American orchestras at present, with the exception of the usual contractual talks about guest conducting engagements.
      In fact Salonen has not conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra since the 1980s. He dismissed the idea that there were problems between the two sides, however, pointing out that in the early years of his time on the West Coast (he became Music Director in L.A. in 1991) he was contractually forbidden to guest with other U.S. orchestras. He did nevertheless note in passing that in more recent times he has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where his compositions have also been conducted by other hands.
      February's première is occupying Salonen's time and energy at present - he was working on the new concerto when contacted, and admitted there was still some orchestration to be done. Salonen is in considerable demand as a contemporary composer, and he has often confided a wish to be able to find additional time for this side of his career.
      The Philharmonia Orchestra is based in the Royal Festival Hall at London's South Bank Centre.


Links:
  Wikipedia: Esa-Pekka Salonen
  Royal Festival Hall
  Los Angeles Philharmonic
  Los Angeles Times article from November 18th
  Philharmonia Orchestra

Helsingin Sanomat