Passing the Baton to Gustavo Dudamel
LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2007 — Esa-Pekka Salonen announced today that he will end his tenure as the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Music Director at the conclusion of the 2008/09 season, at which time he will have been Music Director for 17 seasons. As has been his long-time declared wish, his decision will enable him to dedicate himself more fully to composing.
Simultaneously, the Board of Directors, President Deborah Borda, and Esa-Pekka Salonen announced the new Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will be 28-year-old, Venezuelan conductor GUSTAVO DUDAMEL. His five-year contract will start with the 2009/10 season (actual start date is September 21, 2009), and he will be Music Director Designate during the 2008/09 season. In his first season as Music Director (2009/10), he will conduct 10 weeks, plus summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl; and in years two through five, he will increase to 14 weeks, plus Hollywood Bowl concerts and touring.
Dudamel is the Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, and Principal Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony in Sweden. His symphonic guest engagements take him to the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, London Philharmonia, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, among others, with operatic engagements at La Scala and Berlin Staastsoper. His celebrated United States debut was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005, and he returned to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall in January 2007. Dudamel next appears in Los Angeles on November 1 and 2, 2007, with the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and returns to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic from March 28 through April 6, 2008. Gustavo Dudamel is an exclusive recording artist with Deutsche Grammophon.
Of the appointment Dudamel said, "Almost two years ago, I made my United States debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and from the first moment I stepped onto the stage, I felt a special connection and deep feeling from the players. They are wonderful. I am very honored to be chosen to succeed the great conductor/composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, who has been so warm to me and has given me so much support. Family is very important to me. Now my musical family includes Los Angeles, along with Venezuela and Gothenburg, and these three will be my musical homes and the focus of my musical activity. Playing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the magnificent Walt Disney Concert Hall is a great privilege and I look forward to many happy years together."
Esa-Pekka Salonen stated, "Almost two decades ago, the Los Angeles Philharmonic took a chance on a young fellow from Finland who was at the beginning of his conducting career. Over the ensuing years we have all grown together. It is with love and pride that I regard all we have accomplished. As hard as this is, I know now that the right moment has come for me to step down as Music Director at the end of the 2008/09 season. It will come as no surprise to anyone that I wish to dedicate myself more fully to composing. I could not, indeed would not have made this decision unless I was confident that everything was in just the right place and balance. The LA PHIL is widely regarded as one of the leading symphony orchestras in the world. We have never been stronger. And now, the right successor has been found. Gustavo Dudamel's remarkable talent, intelligence and energy are the absolute right match for the orchestra and Los Angeles. While I intend to continue my relationship with the LA PHIL, I am peaceful and joyous about the artist to whom we will pass the baton. There could not be a more forward looking choice."
Deborah Borda commented, "Esa-Pekka Salonen has built an orchestra of the 21st century - vital, of our time and in forward motion. His profound musical vision and legacy reaches far beyond Los Angeles. Continuing in our own inimitable style, we now look to the future. From the moment Gustavo Dudamel stepped on our podium there was an immediate and palpable connection and chemistry with the LA PHIL musicians. With our musicians and Esa-Pekka's support, the way forward became clear. I cannot imagine a person better suited than Gustavo Dudamel to carry on our important work: reaching out to new audiences, championing music of our time and dreaming of what can be. This is a match for our orchestra, for our city and for music making."
Board Chairman Jerrold Eberhardt added, "Our board and musicians immediately sensed that something very special was happening when Gustavo Dudamel conducted in Los Angeles. This was echoed by the audience's overwhelming reaction at every concert. Our great team of Deborah Borda and Esa-Pekka Salonen has guided us through a seamless transition. We continue to celebrate Esa-Pekka's remarkable relationship with us, as we all joyously await the arrival of Gustavo Dudamel."
Chairman of the orchestra's Artistic Liaison Committee, Christopher Hanulik, said, "We, as an orchestra, are fortunate to have the privilege of working with such a dynamic and exceptional leader as Esa-Pekka Salonen. As we move forward, we enthusiastically welcome Gustavo Dudamel. In working with him, two things struck the orchestra right away. First, he is obviously a very dynamic musical personality. The second thing is the depth of knowledge he conveyed, even at his relatively young age. When a conductor can stand up in front of this orchestra without having to articulate verbally, that's so exciting from our standpoint."
