Tuesday (2/3) on MusicalAmerica.com, Susan Elliott reports, “French conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier is to succeed John Neschling as music director of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP). He begins next month. In June, Neschling announced his intent to step down at the expiration of his contract, in 2010, having been in the job since 1997 and having transformed the orchestra from one of uneven quality to an important international touring, recording and performing ensemble. But Neschling was fired prematurely last week via e-mail by Fernando Hernique Cardosa, the ex-president of Brazil and head of the foundation that administers the orchestra. Tension between Cardosa and Neschling over the choice of the latter’s successor had been mounting for months, and came to a head Dec. 9 when Neschling charged he had been completely excluded from the hiring process. Cardosa then declared that this was affecting the musicians and that he had no choice but to remove Neschling before the end of his contract.” Tortelier will lead eight programs in São Paulo in 2009 and twelve in 2010.
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