Rattle for LSO

It appears that the first round of conductor bingo is in the bag.

Sir Simon Rattle "is understood to have accepted the post of principal conductor of the LSO. According to industry sources, Rattle, who is married to Magdalena Kozená, the Czech soprano, will succeed the Russian-born Valery Gergiev in the role. The LSO refused to confirm or deny the rumours."(Richard Morrison, The Times)

Gergiev begins his new job with the Munich Philharmonic in 2015. Rattle's contract with the Berlin Philharmonic runs to 2018, but presumably he could manage two orchestras for a while if he gave up some of his other commitments.

Comments

[Tinkerbelle]

Well, that would be brilliant. I do so hope that he might bring encourage the LSO to develop a Digital Concert Hall. The Berlin Phil DCH is an enormous and endless source of pleasure, entertainment and education, all for £2 per week.

[Rudolf]

Ms. Kozena a soprano? Really?

[lingin]

Just as long as Sir Simon keep making his yearly appearances with the Philadelphians. It's been his one consistent commitment for a good long while.

[Nikolaus Vogel]

He seems to like the Philadelphia above all of the other US orchestras. Do you know if he likes the new hall there? I've only heard them at the old Academy of Music and it seems judgments are mixed about its replacement.

[Nikolaus Vogel]

IM - I've read the whole article and it does seem a bit waffly and reliant on hearsay rather than anything more substantial. Cold water has already been poured on the idea that Rattle will be available to succeed Gergiev in 2015 when he goes to Munich, unless he stays on until 2018 in an even more part-time capacity than he manages at present. The Berlin Phil has told the Berlin press that their plans with Rattle stretch far into the future. And presumably he won't have much time for the LSO before he steps down as the BP's music director. This reads like wishful thinking masquerading as "news" to me. I really can't see Rattle committing himself heavily to concerts at the Barbican when he could be conducting at the Philharmonie, Musikverein, Symphony Hall in Boston, Concertgebouw (though not with the resident Orkest) and any other of the world's great halls. He won't be short of offers. And he can probably pick two or three opera houses which would jump to have him conduct new productions every season if he so wished. The Berlin press is also saying that the LSO would be a significant step down in terms of quality and prestige. But I suppose they would say that. I'm sure it's probable that Rattle, should he want to conduct more regularly in London, will do more concerts with the LSO than he presently has time for.
**********
Intermezzo replies - It is significant that the LSO refused to deny the rumour, which I take to mean that (a) they want him and (b) he hasn't said no - at least not yet. I don't see Rattle settling for a future of nothing but orchestra-hopping either. He appears to relish the artistic direction side of his job, and his skills lie as much off the podium as on. When he's done with Berlin I think he will want to make a mark somewhere else, not just flit from concert to concert. Having said that, the LSO job would leave him far more time for guest appearances than his Berlin role does.

The 2015-18 period would make the LSO a problematic fit, but Gergiev is only conducting them 11 times this season (same hit rate as Salonen with the Philharmonia before anyone screams part-timer). Surely Rattle could squeeze in 8 or so shows for a couple of years if he had to.

It is clear that the LSO want to replace Gergiev with someone of more or less equal status. There aren't many candidates. Rattle has to top their list for all sorts of reasons. If they don't get him I'm sure it won't be for want of trying.