So who will be the Berlin Phil.'s music director once Sir Simon leaves?

[teamsaint]

We that is that cleared up nicely.

[DracoM]

Please God, NOT Thieleman.

[Sydney Grew]

We have never cared for his frizzy hair; it sends out the wrong signal.

[Tevot]

We have never cared for his frizzy hair; it sends out the wrong signal.

Are we talking about Sir Simon here - or has Christian had a perm recently ?

[Flosshilde]

We have never cared for his frizzy hair; it sends out the wrong signal.

Is that AM, FM, or DAB?

[MrGongGong]

Is that AM, FM, or DAB?

Seb Rochford?

[Tevot]

Seb Rochford?

Jim Rockford even ?

[Nick Armstrong]

Here's an interesting update prior to Monday's decision.... with a conclusion which is slightly depressing for regular South Bank concert-goers...

[makropulos]

Here's an interesting update prior to Monday's decision.... with a conclusion which is slightly depressing for regular South Bank concert-goers...

It is an interesting speculation, and the outcome would be a great shame for London. But if he gets on with the orchestra it could be a terrific appointment, and an astute one. Honestly, I've hardly ever been disappointed by a Jurowski performance (the exception was a Mahler 2 that a lot of other people liked very much).

[DracoM]

Does not Thielemann have some ....erm...ahem......interesting views?

[Flosshilde]

Does not Thielemann have some ....erm...ahem......interesting views?

As tyhe article Caliban linked to says -

"Rumored to be right-wing politically, and not shy, he may open his mouth in ways that portend headaches for Berlin’s politicians, city or federal: he already has, in fact, in guarded support of the anti-Islam Pegida movement, crossing Angela Merkel’s position."

[Beef Oven!]

Does not Thielemann have some ....erm...ahem......interesting views?

Many of us have some....erm...ahem......interesting views.

[Demetrius]

Here's an interesting update prior to Monday's decision.... with a conclusion which is slightly depressing for regular South Bank concert-goers...

Interesting candidate, as his family already resides in Berlin (at least, wikipedia seems sure of that) and his contract concludes in 2018.

Angela Merkel and the solidly left-wing Berlin Senate might not want Thielemann; but then again, they don't decide. His positions in regard to Pegida are by no means clearcut, or indefensible, or entirely in favour; to a large extend, he critizes the way Pegida is confronted as illsuited. The BPO musicians who I assume know him better than the general public might well decide that his ideas are quite acceptable.
Somehow, I think they might decide against him based on his musical background rather than his suppossed or actual political one.

If the setting is as suggested in the article, it might well turn out to be an election akin to the one of Lincoln in 1860 (Huge frontrunner, but dark horse winner). Thing is, Lincoln had a smart lobby acting for him. If it's not Thielemann, it's going to be the guy who is supported by the smartest advocate. I doubt anyone could predict whether that would be Jurowski or any one of the other 319 names floating around.

[Stanfordian]

Interesting candidate, as his family already resides in Berlin (at least, wikipedia seems sure of that) and his contract concludes in 2018.

Angela Merkel and the solidly left-wing Berlin Senate might not want Thielemann; but then again, they don't decide. His positions in regard to Pegida are by no means clearcut, or indefensible, or entirely in favour; to a large extend, he critizes the way Pegida is confronted as illsuited. The BPO musicians who I assume know him better than the general public might well decide that his ideas are quite acceptable.
Somehow, I think they might decide against him based on his musical background rather than his suppossed or actual political one.

If the setting is as suggested in the article, it might well turn out to be an election akin to the one of Lincoln in 1860 (Huge frontrunner, but dark horse winner). Thing is, Lincoln had a smart lobby acting for him. If it's not Thielemann, it's going to be the guy who is supported by the smartest advocate. I doubt anyone could predict whether that would be Jurowski or any one of the other 319 names floating around.

Hiya Demetrius,

I have said before as the orchestra have vote each the successor to Sir Simon Rattle will surely have worked with the orchestra several times in recent years. I would like to see one of the younger generation get appointed who have worked several times with the orchestra such as Dudamel, Nelsons, Harding, Sokhiev and Kirill Petrenko. My outsiders from the mid to older generation are Thielemann, Semyon Bychkov, Barenboim and Jansons. I would probably omit the Berlin based Vladimir Jurowski as he has only conducted them for one set. Alan Gilbert has conducted them for 5 sets so the orchestra know him well but he is not to my taste.

If someone twisted my arm to name just two it will be would be Dudamel and Nelsons. On the other hand I could be miles away.

[Petrushka]

I think Barenboim has ruled himself out. Nelsons is firmly in place in Boston. I've said before that the BPO have a big problem here and several front runners have gone out of their way to rule themselves out. Perhaps the days are gone when a conductor would be considered crazy to turn down a summons from the BPO.