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

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I've heard Thielemann is interested. The players seem to be enthusiastic but possibly because he has a fat DG contract in his back pocket.

I'm not so sure that the BPO players are that enthusiastic about Thielemann, although I do expect his name to be strongly touted. You're right that the DG contract could be a draw, although EMI has done a fair job, allowing Rattle and the BPO to record a huge amount of repertoire.

Barenboim must be in the frame and must surely want it. Of the younger generation, they may wish to go for Andris Nelsons or Yannick Nézet-Séguin. I'm sure several commentators will be pushing for Gustavo Dudamel but, as promising as he is, there's a long way to go before having the skills and experience needed for the Berlin Phil!

[cloughie]

I'm not so sure that the BPO players are that enthusiastic about Thielemann, although I do expect his name to be strongly touted. You're right that the DG contract could be a draw, although EMI has done a fair job, allowing Rattle and the BPO to record a huge amount of repertoire.

Barenboim must be in the frame and must surely want it. Of the younger generation, they may wish to go for Andris Nelsons or Yannick Nézet-Séguin. I'm sure several commentators will be pushing for Gustavo Dudamel but, as promising as he is, there's a long way to go before having the skills and experience needed for the Berlin Phil!

Maybe Rattle's successor at the CBSO is the man for the job. He's done well since and by then will have made the BBCSO a World-class outfit.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Ooh, have just thought of another name who could/ should be put forward... Semyon Bychkov. Excellent conductor, good in a wide range of repertoire,has worked with the BPO a lot before...

[amateur51]

I'm not so sure that the BPO players are that enthusiastic about Thielemann, although I do expect his name to be strongly touted. You're right that the DG contract could be a draw, although EMI has done a fair job, allowing Rattle and the BPO to record a huge amount of repertoire.

Barenboim must be in the frame and must surely want it. Of the younger generation, they may wish to go for Andris Nelsons or Yannick Nézet-Séguin. I'm sure several commentators will be pushing for Gustavo Dudamel but, as promising as he is, there's a long way to go before having the skills and experience needed for the Berlin Phil!

I agree IGI but we have to remember that this is 2018 we're talking about, appointment to be announced perhaps in 2016? (a guess!) By then Barenboim would be 74, perfect but he may be happy to be the world's most sought after guest conductor. If it's (relative) youth they're after what about Tilson Thomas? The only addition I'd make to your list is Vladimir Jurowski.

[Alison]

It just has to be John Wilson.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

The only addition I'd make to your list is Vladimir Jurowski.

Good call. He's coming to the end of his Glyndebourne tenure next season and is contracted with the LPO until the 2014/15 season. I wonder what he's got planned after that?

[BBMmk2]

I have just been thinking about along the lines of Jurowski. His programming, imo, has been quite ambitious, as compared to some of the London orchestras?

[pastoralguy]

It just has to be John Wilson.

Andre Rieu? Now THERE is a man who sells cds!

[cloughie]

I've heard Thielemann is interested. The players seem to be enthusiastic but possibly because he has a fat DG contract in his back pocket.

Hasn't Andre Rieu got a good contract too?

[pastoralguy]

Hasn't Andre Rieu got a good contract too?

I wonder if the Berlin Phil. could afford Rieu! I'll bet he's made more money from music than Sir Simon has. (Of course conductors are only interested in the MUSIC - everything else in their lives is secondary...)

[Mr Pee]

How about Ivan Fischer? He's worked wonders with the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Or Riccardo Chailly perhaps?

[Madame Suggia]

Jonathan Nott?

I've really warmed to his recordings.

[pastoralguy]

How about Ivan Fischer? He's worked wonders with the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Or Riccardo Chailly perhaps?

I'd love to see Fischer conduct the Berlin Phil. but I suspect he has such a strong relationship with the Budapest Orchestra that he might be reluctant to leave. He seems such a genuine, nice bloke that I wonder if he could stand that particular nest of vipers!

[BBMmk2]

Probably Nott!!

Riccardo Chailly has sprung to mind. After all, he's only just very recently conducted them?

[BBMmk2]

There appear to be two threads on the same theme! Any chance of merging them?