Esa-Pekka Salonen to go away San Francisco Symphony, citing dispute with orchestra’s board
Esa-Pekka Salonen will depart the San Francisco Symphony following the 2024-25 season, simply his fifth as music director, asserting his departure with an announcement vital of the orchestra’s management
SAN FRANCISCO — Esa-Pekka Salonen will depart the San Francisco Symphony following the 2024-25 season, simply his fifth as music director, asserting his departure Thursday with an announcement vital of the orchestra’s management.
“I don’t share the identical targets for the way forward for the establishment because the board of governors does,” Salonen stated in an announcement.
Salonen was not discussing his determination past the assertion, spokeswoman Amanda Ameer stated.
The symphony board is chaired by Priscilla B. Geeslin, whose husband Keith Geeslin is president of San Francisco Opera. Matthew Spivey is in his first season as CEO after one 12 months in an interim function. Orchestra spokeswoman Taryn Lott stated Priscilla B. Geeslin and Spivey weren’t obtainable to remark.
Salonen, who turns 66 in June, was employed in December 2018 to start out with the 2020-21 season and observe the 25-year tenure of Michael Tilson Thomas. Salonen praised the orchestra, saying in his assertion Thursday he’s “proud to proceed working with the world-class musicians.”
His departure creates yet one more emptiness on a significant U.S. podium.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has not introduced a alternative for Riccardo Muti, who retired on the finish of the 2022-23 season; the Los Angeles Philharmonic is searching for a successor to Gustavo Dudamel, who leaves after the 2025-26 season to go the New York Philharmonic; and Franz Welser-Möst will retire from the Cleveland Orchestra after the 2026-27 season. James Conlon stated this week he’ll step down as Los Angeles Opera music director after the 2025-26 season.
The San Francisco Symphony introduced Salonen’s departure because it launched the schedule for his last season with the orchestra.
Salonen was principal conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1984-95 and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1992-2009. He was principal conductor and creative adviser for London’s Philharmonia from 2008–21.
