NEWS: L.A. Phil names Susanna Mälkki as principal guest conductor

By Robert D. Thomas
Music Critic
Los Angeles Newspaper Group

Makkki 4 WEBFor just the third time in its history and the first in a quarter-century, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has appointed a principal guest conductor: Susanna Mälkki, a Finland-born, rising star in the conducting firmament. Her appoint begins in the 2017-2018 season and runs for three years.

Mälkki becomes the first woman named to this post and joins Mira Gražinytė-Tyla, the Phil’s newly named assistant conductor, in the orchestra’s musical leadership role, led by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel.

The only other two PCGs for the Phil were Sir Simon Rattle, 1981-1994, and Michael Tilson Thomas, 1981-1985. Both have gone on to major conducting careers and Mälkki is expected to follow in their footsteps. In fact many people championed her for the music director post at the New York Philharmonic before that ensemble choose Jaap van Zweden, instead.

Mälkki will assume the chief conductor role at the Helsinki Philharmonic beginning next season. Previously she was music director of Paris’ he Ensemble InterContemporain from 2006-2013. She began her musical career as a cellist, winning 1st prize in the 1994 Turku National Cello Competition. Subsequently she was principal cellist at the Gothenburg Symphony before make a career change to conducting.

In her new LAPO post, Mälkki will present three subscription weeks as part of the Walt Disney Concert Hall 2017/18 season, Green Umbrella dates along with projects with the orchestra to be announced. She has impressed both with her work in standard repertoire and contemporary works.

Read the LAPO media release here.
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(c) Copyright 2016, Robert D. Thomas. All rights reserved. Portions may be quoted with attribution.

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