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

[charles t]

Wishfully hoping it's da Dude. leaving the city of the angels.

(There's No Business Like Show Business...) ad infinitum.

[gurnemanz]

And the winner is ..... (according to statistical analysis in this blog.) Clue: initials S. B.

[Simon B]

Sadly I've had to rule myself out. They sometimes play things in 5/8 and I just can't get the "flailing about while they get on with what they were going to do anyway" thing quite right...

Meanwhile... The other S.B. would be my choice if I had one - strikes me as the deepest and broadest musician (rather than showman) of the lot. Though it may deprive us of his regular appearances in London with the BBCSO, which would be a net loss imv.

[mercia]

is some decision imminent today ? Rafferty has just been burbling about it.

[Demetrius]

is some decision imminent today ? Rafferty has just been burbling about it.

election started at 10, and the expected happy conclusion was supposed to be announced at 2 pm. Obviously, the decision is a difficult one.

[Nick Armstrong]

election started at 10, and the expected happy conclusion was supposed to be announced at 2 pm. Obviously, the decision is a difficult one.

Norman Le Breathless is so excited he appears to be anticipating a name change for the orchestra...

[DublinJimbo]

A friend in Berlin tells me it's down to Nelsons and Thielemann. How he can possibly know this, though …

[Flosshilde]

I believe Edward Milliband is now available.

[MrGongGong]

I believe Edward Milliband is now available.

One comedy politician called Edward pretending to be a conductor is enough I think

[Tony Halstead]

One comedy politician called Edward pretending to be a conductor is enough I think

'Head Teeth' wasn't as bad a conductor as many people think he was...on the 1972 LSO 'live concert' recording at the RFH at least he noticed that in 'Cockaigne' overture the score stipulates THREE 'silent beats' before the music begins... a sort of 'conductor's solo' and - bless his memory - he stuck to his guns ( despite the protestations of the leader John Georgiadis who said "Mr Heath, just give us an upbeat") and delivered those THREE UPBEATS so that everyone knew exactly what the tempo was.
Maybe Elgar knew best?

[subcontrabass]

No result today: https://twitter.com/berlinphil

[Petrushka]

No result today: https://twitter.com/berlinphil

Wonder what Furtwangler and Karajan would have made of this.

The best option would be to continue with guest conductors for a year (though don't forget Rattle is still their chief until 2018) and have another go and see if enough orchestra members can gather round one stand out candidate if there is one. The BPO have already had two years to consider this process and for them to be unable to choose s frankly unbelievable.

[Flosshilde]

Maybe Elgar knew best?

I don't think you'll get MrGG to admit that

[MrGongGong]

I don't think you'll get MrGG to admit that

The three silent beats are the best bit IMV
Claptons version is good n'all

[Petrushka]

Apparently the decision has been postponed for a year. How I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall today! There is the possibility that a decision was made but was declined, perhaps we'll never know.

At least the BPO didn't rush into a hasty decision. There would appear to be a number of possible contenders but no real stand-out one a view that was more than likely reflected in today's vote.