By Robert D. Thomas
Music Critic
Los Angeles Newspaper Group

In one of the more surprising developments in classical music recently, Alan Gilbert has told the New York Philharmonic that he will step down as the orchestra’s music director in 2017 after eight seasons on the job.

Now age 47, Gilbert told Michael Cooper in the New York Times that, “It’s become clear that the next chapter, logically, has to carry the organization through to the opening of [the planned renovation of Avery Fisher] hall, which is at the earliest 2021. It’s a wonderful atmosphere, which of course I will be sorry to leave. But as I’ve thought about it, the next logical step — it’s just longer than I want to stay around. It’s actually that simple.”

Read Cooper’s entire article HERE. Cooper has a followup article on possible replacements HERE. Anne Midgette in the Washington Post has her early list of candidates HERE.

My winterbook favorites are Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen but whether either want to be involved in the fund raising for and contentious remake of Avery Fisher Hall and the two years that the NY Phil would have to find temporary quarters will be surely be among the major questions.
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(c) Copyright 2015, Robert D. Thomas. All rights reserved. Portions may be quoted with attribution.