At long last, Los Angeles Philharmonic names its next music director

Key Points:

• Daniel Harding has been named the 12th music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, starting a six-year contract in fall 2027, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel who leaves in August to lead the New York Philharmonic.
• Harding, a British conductor with a diverse international career and a long-standing relationship with the L.A. Phil, is praised by orchestra members and leadership as the ideal candidate to advance the orchestra’s artistic vision.
• Unlike previous L.A. Phil directors who were young rising stars, Harding brings seasoned experience and a reserved style, balancing tradition with innovation in a complex organization that integrates diverse musical genres and cultural initiatives.
• The L.A. Phil’s leadership structure remains collaborative, with Esa-Pekka Salonen as creative director, Dudamel returning for select weeks, and other specialists leading various musical programs, while Harding will unify these efforts and introduce his own projects.
• Harding plans to engage deeply with Los Angeles’ cultural diversity and has early ambitions such as touring the Youth Orchestra L.A. in 2029, reflecting his commitment to blending his extensive experience with the city’s unique artistic landscape.