The Finn Steps In

Esa-Pekka Salonen to conduct 2017 MET Orchestra concert sat Carnegie Hall.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Esa-Pekka Salonen makes a point. Photo by Clive Barda.

The music landscape of New York City underwent another tectonic shift this week, as Carnegie Hall announced that the conductor of three performances by the MET Orchestra next season would be Esa-Pekka Salonen, taking the place of outgoing Metropolitan Opera music director James Levine James Levine for three scheduled concerts.

Concert Review: Two Bridges to Nowhere

Alan Gilbert conducts Mahler and Sibelius.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Mahler man: Alan Gilbert (left, back to camera) leads Thomas Hampson (standing)
and members of the  New York Philharmonic (seated) in Das Lied von der Erde.
Photo by Chris Lee © 2016 The New York Philharmonic.

The last stages of a composer's output often contain their most profound utterances. Mozart's Zauberflöte, Beethoven's string quartets and Wagner's Parsifal are all notable examples. Last week, the New York Philharmonic offered a program exploring the penultimate completed works of Jean Sibelius and Gustav Mahler, two composers whose careers ended early, albeit for very different reasons. The concert marked the return of Alan Gilbert to the New York Philharmonic podium after an absence of some weeks. Friday morning was the last of three concerts featuring Sibelius' Symphony No. 7 paired with the work that almost became Mahler's Ninth: the six-movement song cycle Das Lied von der Erde.

The Way the Big Wheel Spins

A look at possible music directors for the Metropolitan Opera.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

The Met faces difficult odds in its quest for a new music director.
Photoshop by the author.

The James Levine era at the Met is ending and the opera house stands poised to announce its next choice in the crucial role of music director. Although this subject has been touched on before it seemed time for Superconductor to take a look at available candidatess to lead the Metropolitan Opera and its orchestra. Considering that the posts of Music Director and Principal Conductor are both open, the Met needs to broaden its horizons and look at some new options on the podium.

Diamonds Are Forever

Jaap van Zweden is the Philharmonic’s next music director.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Jaap van Zweden is the 26th music director of the New York Philharmonic.
Photo by Hans van der Woerd for the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

At last there is white smoke coming from David Geffen Hall. In a press conference Wednesday morning, the New York Philharmonic announced that Jaap van Zweden would become the orchestra’s next music director, succeeding Alan Gilbert at the helm of America’s oldest professional symphony orchestra. He will be the 26th music director in the orchestra’s illustrious 174-year history.

Obituary: Kurt Masur 1927-2015

The German conductor led the New York Philharmonic for 11 years.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Kurt Masur at the helm of the New York Philharmonic.
Photo by Chris Lee © 2015 The New York Philharmonic.

Kurt Masur, who led the New York Philharmonic as music director from 1991 to 2002 died earlier today in Greenwich CT. The cause of death was reported in the New York Times as "complications from Parkinson's disease."  The maestro was 88. Performances in later life were affected by a notable tremor in his hands. His passing follows a hospitalization after he fell off a podium while conducting the Orchestre National de France.

The Once and Future Conductor

Berlin Philharmonic elects first zombie music director.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

The Berlin Philharmonic's once and future music director Herbert von Karajan.
Original image © Deutsche Grammophon, altered with MakeMeZombie.Com

The Berlin Philharmonic, seeking a replacement for outgoing music director Sir Simon Rattle has elected the animated cadaver of Herbert von Karajan to lead the orchestra into the 21st century. Mr. von Karajan, who died in 1989, is the first undead music director of a major symphony orchestra and the first Berlin music director to resume his post.

White Smoke Over Huntington Avenue

Andris Nelsons to take over Boston Symphony Orchestra.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Andris Nelsons is the new Music Director at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Photo by Stu Rosner © 2011 Boston Symphony Orchestra.

There's a new sheriff in Boston.

The board of the Boston Symphony Orchestra announced today that Andris Nelsons will be the ensemble's new Music Director, filling a vacancy at one of America's "big five" orchestras. The post has been empty since James Levine's resignation in 2011.

The Astonishing Return of James Levine

Met music director to conduct in May. Three operas to follow.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

He's back! James Levine is scheduled to conduct the MET Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in May, and at the Met in 2013.
Photo by Koichi Murai.

The Metropolitan Opera chose 7:30 on a Thursday night, on the same night as the 2012 Vice-Presidential Debate to tell the world that music director James Levine is slotted make a May 19th return to conducting for North America's most prestigious opera company.

"I’m feeling better with each passing day and look forward to returning to the company I love so much" Mr. Levine said in the official release. "It has been a long healing process, but with a team of excellent doctors and the unwavering support of my friends and colleagues, I’m looking forward more than I can say to getting back to work."

The news was first revealed to Superconductor in a Washington Post article by critic and correspondent Anne Midgette.

In an official statement, Met general manager Peter Gelb said: “Jim’s return to conducting is the welcome news that our company has long been waiting for."

James Levine Resigns from Boston Symphony Orchestra

James Levine conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Photo by Michael J. Lutch © 2009 Bloomberg

According to a report in today's Boston Globe, James Levine will step down from his position as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, following this summer's Tanglewood concerts.

In a press release, BSO Managing Director Mark Volpe said that the orchestra will begin a search for their new music director "immediately."

A short piece on Boston.com speculated that the short list of possible music directors includes:

• Michael Tilson Thomas
  
• Robert Spano
  
• Mariss Janssons
  
• Riccardo Chailly

"The BSO has been incredibly fortunate to have had one of the greatest conductors of our time at its helm sice 2004," Mr. Volpe said in the statement. "That being said, given Maestro Levine's health issues, this has been a challenging time for all of us."

He continued: "We look forward to continuing our conversation with Jim about defining a new role where he can focus solely on the music and defining artistically stimulating projects that would be meaningful to him and the orchestra."

In other words, they're leaving the door open for Mr. Levine to return as guest conductor or some sort of "emeritus" position in the next few years.

In the official release, Mr. Levine added: "Given the challenges regarding my health and the ensuing absences they have forced me to take from my work with the BSO, I believe it is best for everyone, but especially the orchestra and our wonderful audiences, for me to step down as music director."

Earlier in the week, Mr. Levine announced that he would withdraw from all of his spring 2011 obligations, including a short Northeast tour that brings the BSO to Carnegie Hall for a three-night stand. Conductors for those concerts include BSO assistant conductor Marcelo Lehninger, Roberto Abbado, and Andris Nelsons, who will lead the Mahler 9th on March 17.

All these Boston cancellations will not affect Mr. Levine's duties at the Metropolitan Opera, where he also holds the post of music director. In a statement, Met press director Peter Clark indicated that Mr. Levine will fulfill his 2011 obligations. He is scheduled to conduct performances of Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Il Trovatore and Wozzeck, as well as concerts at Carnegie Hall.