Category Archives: Auditions & Appointments

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (End of Summer 2018 edition)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Pacific Symphony

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (End of Summer 2018 edition)

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Hello again, folks. Long time no chat.  Hope you’re well. It’s obviously been a while, and so let’s start getting caught up by talking about some key personnel moves across the Southern California orchestral landscape and beyond. New additions to the LA Phil (official and unofficial) Since the beginning of the calendar year, the Los … Continue reading →

Ojai Music Festival names LA Phil’s Chad Smith to be their new Artistic Director
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Ojai Music Festival names LA Phil’s Chad Smith to be their new Artistic Director

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The Ojai Music Festival announced this morning that Chad Smith will be their new Artistic Director beginning in 2020.  Mr. Smith will take over for Thomas W. Morris, Ojai’s Artistic Director since 2004 and former top executive with the Cleveland Orchestra and Boston Symphony, who had previously announced his decision to retire after the 2019 … Continue reading →

Some thoughts as the LA Phil names Simon Woods as their new CEO
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Some thoughts as the LA Phil names Simon Woods as their new CEO

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced yesterday that Simon Woods will be their new Chief Executive Officer effective January 22, 2018. The  54-year old native of London has been President and CEO of the Seattle Symphony since 2011. Overall, I think this is good news.  Some thoughts and observations on the announcement: Continue reading →

The next LA Phil Principal Oboe will be Ramón Ortega Quero [UPDATED]
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

The next LA Phil Principal Oboe will be Ramón Ortega Quero [UPDATED]

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Spanish oboist Ramón Ortega Quero — aka Ramon Ortega — has been offered the position of Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He will take over the position vacated by Ariana Ghez earlier this year if he chooses to accept the offer. [UPDATE: 2 NOV 2017:  An earlier version of this article stated that Mr. … Continue reading →

Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Summer 2017 edition): Details on Ghez, Dennis, Hooten, and others (UPDATED)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Summer 2017 edition): Details on Ghez, Dennis, Hooten, and others (UPDATED)

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It’s time once again for your roundup on recent personnel movement (and lack thereof) at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  There is much to cover, so let’s get right to it, starting with the biggest news of the summer . . . The stories behind the departures of Ariana Ghez and Carrie Dennis The biggest buzz … Continue reading →

It’s official: Colburn alum Afendi Yusuf named Principal Clarinet of the Cleveland Orchestra; Jenny Wong promoted at LA Master Chorale
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments

It’s official: Colburn alum Afendi Yusuf named Principal Clarinet of the Cleveland Orchestra; Jenny Wong promoted at LA Master Chorale

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Some news about two musicians who’ve made an impact on the Southern California music scene: The Cleveland Orchestra officially announced this morning that Afendi Yusuf will be their new Principal Clarinet, confirming multiple leaked reports from last month.   Continue reading →

Checking in with the LA Phil (part 3 of 3): Comings and goings (Feb ’17 edition) — new basses, movement in the violins, and news from the brass
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Checking in with the LA Phil (part 3 of 3): Comings and goings (Feb ’17 edition) — new basses, movement in the violins, and news from the brass

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There’s been a fair amount of personnel movement at the Los Angeles Philharmonic over the past few months.  Let’s get everybody caught up: Filling empty seats in the Bass section The LA Phil basses have had two openings since the 2014 retirement of John Schiavo and the sad passing of Fred Tinsley late last year.   A … Continue reading →

Trumpeter Christopher Martin makes move to NY Phil permanent
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Music News & Info: Classical

Trumpeter Christopher Martin makes move to NY Phil permanent

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There are some jobs that people expect you to keep for life.  Pope.  US Supreme Court Justice.  Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony.  But I guess if a Pope can quit early, we shouldn’t be shocked that the CSO’s first chair trumpet can do it too. Chris Martin — the trumpeter, not the lead singer of Coldplay … Continue reading →

James Conlon extends LA Opera contract to 2020/2021 season
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical

James Conlon extends LA Opera contract to 2020/2021 season

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Los Angeles Opera gets to keep James Conlon around for a little longer.  Yesterday, the company announced that the New York-based conductor will remain as Music Director through the end of the 2020/2021 season.  His current contract was to expire next year. Mr. Conlon took over the position from Kent Nagano in 2006 and has been a huge presence ever since.  Plácido Domingo, … Continue reading →

LA Opera gives Plácido Domingo a contract extension; let’s hope James Conlon is next (plus one more thing)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical

LA Opera gives Plácido Domingo a contract extension; let’s hope James Conlon is next (plus one more thing)

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Los Angeles Opera announced today that Plácido Domingo will continue on as General Director through at least the end of the 2021/22 season.  He has held the title since 2003.  (The complete press release is below) The tenor/baritone cum conductor cum impresario has a long and storied history with the company, going back to 1984 … Continue reading →

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (Summer 2016 edition): Lots of updates with principal chairs and more
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (Summer 2016 edition): Lots of updates with principal chairs and more

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It’s time once again to talk about one of our favorite topics:  musical chairs in major orchestras, particularly the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There has been a lot happening since last we broached the topic, and by the end of the beginning of the 2016/17 season, one current principal will have retired and there’ll be three new … Continue reading →

Susanna Mälkki named as new LA Phil Principal Guest Conductor (and I say, “Huzzah!”)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Susanna Mälkki named as new LA Phil Principal Guest Conductor (and I say, “Huzzah!”)

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced this morning that Susanna Mälkki has been appointed as Principal Guest Conductor of the orchestra.  The Finnish maestra’s tenure will officially begin with the 2017-18 season, with an initial contract to last three years.  She  will conduct three subscription weeks, Green Umbrella concerts, as well as other projects with the orchestra to … Continue reading →

Boris Allakhverdyan will be the next Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

Boris Allakhverdyan will be the next Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

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As I mentioned last November, Boris Allakhverdyan was one of two finalists in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s open auditions to find a new Principal Clarinet to take over for the retiring Michele Zukovsky.  Multiple sources have now indicated that Mr. Allakverdyan, current Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, won the last phase of the audition … Continue reading →

LA Phil comings and goings (Fall 2015 edition): Principal Clarinet update and much more
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

LA Phil comings and goings (Fall 2015 edition): Principal Clarinet update and much more

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Once again, I do what I can to give you the latest and greatest news about the musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Let’s begin: Principal Flute Denis Bouriakov officially begins his tenure as Principal Flute Nov 30.  He makes his subscription concert debut soon after. (NOTE:  an earlier version of this post had his start … Continue reading →