• Germany edition
Society
Photo: DPA

Russian star to lead Munich Philharmonic

Published: 24 Jan 13 08:38 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20130124-47527.html

Charismatic Russian maestro Valery Gergiev will take over as chief conductor of the prestigious Munich Philharmonic from 2015, officials in the Bavarian capital have announced.

Gergiev, 59, will replace Lorin Maazel as the orchestra's chief when Maazel's contract expires in 2015, the city council said in a statement released late on Wednesday.

The Moscow-born maestro, currently chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and long-time director of the legendary Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, will initially be appointed for a term of five years until 2020.

"Valery Gergiev is without doubt one of the most important, influential and inspirational conductors of our time," said Munich's culture minister Hans-Georg Küppers.

"His youthful energy and enthusiasm will not only benefit the orchestra. His ability and charisma will also shape audiences of all different age groups and Munich's musical life," Küppers said.

The appointment, voted through by a majority by Munich's city council on Wednesday, had been decided in consultation with the orchestra, he added.

"The Munich Philharmonic is a fantastic orchestra with a great tradition," Gergiev was quoted as saying in the statement. "We know each other very well. I'm happy that we can intensify our artistic collaboration."

Gergiev is one of the busiest conductors working today. He has headed the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg for 20 years and been chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra since 2007. He is also chief conductor of the World Orchestra for Peace, an initiative set up in 1995 by legendary maestro Georg Solti.

The classical music scene has been abuzz with speculation recently that Gergiev was to take the Munich position after the LSO in London announced last week that he would not be renewing his contract with them after the end of 2015.

But the London orchestra insisted that their relationship with Gergiev remained "excellent" and would continue to be strong even after his departure.

The Munich Philharmonic is one of Germany's top orchestras and its previous chief conductors include the legendary Sergiu Celibidache, US maestro James Levine and German star conductor Christian Thielemann.

AFP/mry

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Merkel: business must fight immigrant prejudice

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday called on Germans to fight prejudice against immigrants ahead of next week's integration summit. READ () »

Chinese premier visit to strengthen trade ties

Chinese premier visit to strengthen trade ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday as the two export powerhouses seek to further strengthen economic ties amid brewing trade spats between Beijing and the EU. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Skyscraper festival hits new heights in Frankfurt

Frankfurt city skyline is being celebrated this weekend with a skyscraper extravaganza. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to witness spectacular events, daring feats and music in the sky. READ () »

Workers get Berlin's fan mile ready ahead of Saturday's final. Photo: DPA

Police put Germany on terror alert for CL final

German security services have been put on high alert after picking up terror warnings for public viewings of Saturday night's all-German Champions League final. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Helicopter sprays 220 kids with insecticide

15 young children were taken to hospital late on Friday after bug-busting authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia accidentally dumped toxic insecticide over a primary school during playtime. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Bundesbank chief: allow eurozone defaults

The head of the German central Bundesbank Jens Weidmann said on Friday that eurozone countries should be able to default, a possibility which the EU has gone to great lengths to avoid during the current crisis. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Fan wants Bayern ticket-Oktoberfest beer swap

A Bayern Munich supporter is so desperate to get his hands on a ticket for Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund he is offering to trade 20 litres of beer and a rare free table at Oktoberfest. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Nationwide cannabis limit rolls nearer

Germany could in the future have a country-wide “tolerable limit” for cannabis possession, it was reported on Friday. Currently, this amount differs between states. READ () »

More Society
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
  1. Cardinal: Women should stay at home and breed »
  2. Germany tops world popularity poll »
  3. Ten German body parts »
  4. Nationwide cannabis limit rolls nearer »
  5. Keep your socks on
    Highlights
    Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: M&S Photo: Private Photo: Katie Needs Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: A Peoples' Picture Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Monster/jobpilot.de Furniture Leasing Corporation Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se



    Latest news from The Local in France

    More news from France at thelocal.fr

    Latest news from The Local in Norway

    More news from Norway at thelocal.no

    Latest news from The Local in Sweden

    More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

    Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

    More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

    See all ads | Join the Marketplace

    Jobs in Germany, in English

    916 jobs available
    672 new jobs this week
    30 new jobs today

    ALL JOBS »

    Blog
    Essentials

    Dating
    Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

    Weather
    "After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

    Blog
    German stuff that's distracting us today.

    Noticeboard
    Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

    Discuss
    Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

    Search News


    Register

    Register now for:
    > Free use of noticeboard
    > Special discounts
    > Weekly news roundup
    > Unlimited use of discuss

    REGISTER FOR FREE »

    News from the Goethe-Institut
    News from Young Germany
    • So You Want to Be an Artist
      The tradition of hands-on training in the arts is alive and well in Germany. Interested in studying visual, performance, or sound arts? Keen to pursue graphic and product design, textiles, or typography? Germany is home to many exceptional art schools as well as a rich history of excellence in and support for the arts.
    • Frankfurt's Skyscrapers: A Guide
      Frankfurt is known for banks and skyscrapers. So what is behind the colossal glass, steel, and stone facades of the city’s buildings? Meet Frankfurt’s tallest.
    • Conference - Pioneers on Dual Training Abroad
      Germany‘s system of dual training is one of the foundations of its economic strength.
    • The all-German final in Wembley
      Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund are playing in the final of the Champions League at London’s Wembley Stadium.
    • German first feature film in Cannes
      A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
    News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.