GUSTAVO DUDAMEL NAMED NEXT MUSIC AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
(Photo by Chris Lee)
New York Philharmonic Co-Chairmen Peter W. May and Oscar L. Tang, Linda and Mitch Hart President & CEO Deborah Borda, and Executive Director Gary Ginstling today announced that conductor Gustavo Dudamel will become the Orchestra’s next Music Director, beginning in the 2026–27 season, succeeding Jaap van Zweden. Dudamel will hold the title of Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic for a five-year term, after serving as Music Director Designate during the 2025–26 season.
As the New York Philharmonic’s 27th Music Director, Dudamel — who has been Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2009, Music Director of the Opéra National de Paris since 2021, and Music Director of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela since 1999 — will become part of a legacy that includes Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, and Leonard Bernstein.
A press conference will take place on the afternoon of Monday, February 20, 2023, to officially introduce Gustavo Dudamel as the next Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic.
When I first heard Dudamel conduct – the DGG Beethoven Symphonies 5 & 7 CD with the Simón Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela in 2006 – I was astounded at his youth, insight and potential. Since then, sadly, I have not heard a comparable performance under his baton, and although his fame has increased considerably, Dudamel’s interpretative musicianship has not maintained the high hopes I once had of him.
He is succeeding a great conductor – Jaap van Zweden – to say nothing of many illustrious predecessors, but for this great orchestra, older than the Vienna Philharmonic, this announcement does not immediately rouse my enthusiasm, although I have no doubt it does in the New York Philharmonic’s marketing department.
He stood in for Jarvi at the Proms for Sibelius 5 and massacred it: I have never wished to hear him live again.
Yes A strange choice musically. For pizzazz not so strange in the Big Apple.
pjl, which Jarvi and when? Colin
Neeme Jarvi with Gothenberg orchestra; they signed him up soon after which may help date it
Otter sang Mahler and I think the Dude did not try to learn the Tubin symphony which was the main interest of the programme. Sorry not to have a year….Peter
I was also present with a colleague.
We both agreed it was utterly dreadful.
In fact it remains the worst so-called professional performance I have ever attended.
Starts in 2026 I gather. Did a lot for me once, long ago, but very little in recent years. Disappointing. Dudamel stood in for Neeme, 5 August 2005, Gothenburg Symphony.