The Score | Salonen Heads West—Again

The San Francisco Symphony has named Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen as its next music director, beginning in September 2020 and succeeding longtime Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas. Salonen starts as music director designate immediately, and leads his first concerts in that role this January. His initial contract runs for five years. In addition, the orchestra has introduced a new artistic leadership model, and Salonen will be joined by eight creative and artistic partners who include composers, vocalists, instrumentalists from multiple music genres, and even a roboticist. The collaborative partners are pianist and composer Nicholas Britell; soprano and arts activist Julia Bullock; flutist, educator, and founder of the International Contemporary Ensemble, Claire Chase; composer and guitarist Bryce Dessner of The National; violinist and music director Pekka Kuusisto; composer Nico Muhly; artificial-intelligence entrepreneur and roboticist Carol Reiley; and jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding. Salonen is currently artist in association at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, and he will step down as principal conductor and artistic advisor of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra in 2021. Previously, Salonen served as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1992 to 2009, and is now its conductor laureate.