LONDON (CelebrityAccess) — Conductor Simon Rattle announced that he has accepted a post as Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, to start in September, 2017.
The Liverpool-born Rattle has been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Berliner Philharmoniker since 2002, with whom he has recorded dozens of albums including an acclaimed Brahms German Requiem, Holst's The Planets, Bruckner symphonies.
His first appearance with the London Symphony Orchestra was in October 1977, at the age of 22. He conducted the LSO at the opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, memorably performing Chariots of Fire with Rowan Atkinson.
Rattle's current contract with the Berlin Philharmonic continues through 2018, but he told the Associated Press he would manage both jobs for the remainder of the 2017-2018 season.
The announcement of the move comes after London has offered indications that it is moving forward with a new concert hall for the LSO. Rattle has said previously that he would return to London if there was a "proper" place to play.
The LSO currently is based in London's Barbican Centre.
“During my work with the LSO over the last years, I noticed that despite the Orchestra’s long and illustrious history, they almost never refer to it. Instead, refreshingly, they talk about the future, what can they make anew, what can they improve, how can they reach further into the community," said Rattle in a statement. "In terms of musical excellence, it is clear that the sky's the limit, but equally important, in terms of philosophy, they constantly strive to be a twenty-first century orchestra. We share a dream in which performing, teaching and learning are indivisible, with wider dissemination of our art at its centre. I cannot imagine a better or more inspiring way to spend my next years, and feel immensely fortunate to have the LSO as my musical family and co-conspirators.” – Staff Writers
