Monday 11 January 2021
PRESS STATEMENT:
David Alberman, Chair, and Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director, London Symphony
Orchestra:
“Sir Simon Rattle will extend his current agreement with the London Symphony Orchestra
as Music Director until 2023. In view of the special relationship the orchestra has with Sir
Simon, he will take up a lifetime role as Conductor Emeritus from 2023 onwards, the first
such appointment to this role since André Previn. Simon will be taking forward a number
of significant projects with us over the coming years working from our home base at the
Barbican. These include a cycle of Janáček operas, a number of ambitious new commissions
and his continued work with young people on our East London music education
programmes. We want to thank Sir Simon for his immense and continuing contribution to
the London Symphony Orchestra. Simon’s willingness to roll up his sleeves and champion
the causes of Classical Music and Music Education in the U.K continues to be hugely
important both for us and also for future generations in the UK.”
Sir Simon Rattle:
“I am delighted that I will continue in my role as Music Director of the Orchestra for another
three years, extending my contract until 2023, and that I will be able to remain closely
associated with the orchestra into the future. My reasons for accepting the role of Chief
Conductor in Munich are entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my
work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way. I love
the London Symphony Orchestra. I remain committed to the LSO, and we have plans for
major projects in the coming years. I am thrilled that we will be making music together far into the future.”