The San Francisco Symphony's former maestro, Esa-Pekka Salonen, is set to make a high-profile jump into new roles with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Philharmonie de Paris, following a tenure marked by innovative pursuits and financial tensions in the Bay Area. In a dual announcement, the LA Phil disclosed Salonen's appointment as their new Creative Director starting in the 2026/27 season, while the Philharmonie de Paris named him Creativity and Innovation Chair and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre de Paris.
At the LA Phil, Salonen is expected to conduct and curate around six weeks of concerts, bringing his renowned knack for genre-blending projects to the forefront—something the San Francisco Symphony was, perhaps, unable to fully embrace amid budget cuts. According to a statement obtained by LA Phil, Salonen's creative vision will build on his legacy and push the orchestra into a new phase of experimental and interdisciplinary work.
The move raises questions about the SF Symphony's recent departure from Salonen’s artistic leadership. As reported by Hoodline, Salonen's tenure came to an end after facing "significant financial pressures." His tenure was marked by achievements like harnessing digital platforms for innovative performances during the pandemic. His finale with the SF Symphony, including anticipated performances of Verdi’s Requiem and Beethoven's Pastorale, will close out an era characterized by a blend of artistic ambition and financial pragmatism.
Meanwhile, Salonen is not merely conducting in Paris; he's also leading a range of initiatives to foster new talent and interdisciplinary collaboration, with plans already underway for a shared festival with the LA Phil in 2027. The dual appointment has been critiqued as a missed opportunity for the SF Symphony. The San Francisco Chronicle suggests that by parting ways with the conductor, the SF Symphony has shunned the innovative push that other institutions are now too keen to embrace.
Salonen's creative and conducting efforts in both Los Angeles and Paris will be part of a broader partnership between the LA Phil and the Philharmonie de Paris. This collaboration aims to bridge the two cities' vibrant cultural scenes, inspiring a new generation of music appreciation and cross-continent artistic dialogue, something that "Esa-Pekka Salonen is a transformational artist whose vision helped shape the LA Phil into what it has become today," as LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy stressed.
