LA Phil's New Era: Shared Leadership Takes the Stage

Daniel Harding has been appointed the new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, marking the beginning of a new era for the esteemed orchestra.

Harding, who officially begins his tenure in the 2027 season, will lead the LA Phil under a novel shared leadership model. This structure departs from the previous 17 seasons under Gustavo Dudamel. Harding will share responsibilities with Esa-Pekka Salonen, who serves as creative director, and Anna Handler, the new conductor-in-residence.

This new artistic framework also introduces several creative chair positions. Samara Joy McLendon is the new creative chair for jazz, Silvana Estrada holds the newly created role of creative chair for Latin music, and Thomas Adés is the creative chair for New Music. Veteran film composer Joe Hisaishi has been appointed composer-in-residence.

LA Phil President Kim Noltemy stated that this model aims to empower specialists and bring a breadth of perspectives across disciplines. The goal is to foster unexpected collaborations and create engaging experiences that amplify diverse voices, cultures, and genres within Los Angeles.

While the precise workings of this new system are still unfolding, the orchestra's leadership and new appointees express enthusiasm for experimentation and growth. Harding, Salonen, and Handler, alongside the new creative chairs, are poised to explore innovative programming and collaborations.

Anna Handler, conductor-in-residence, highlighted the collaborative spirit, noting that a single voice is insufficient to represent the orchestra's future aspirations. Similarly, Samara Joy McLendon and Silvana Estrada are eager to introduce new sounds and narratives, challenging preconceptions and celebrating the richness of their respective genres. The LA Phil, with its array of venues, is seen as an ideal platform for such artistic exploration.