Original title: Esa-Pekka Salonen Back With the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Superstar Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen is returning to the Los Angeles Philharmonic to take the new position of creative director beginning with the 2026-27 season, it was announced Tuesday. As part of a five-year appointment, Salonen will conduct and curate about six weeks of concerts with the LA Phil and focus on multi-disciplinary projects, festivals and the innovative programming for which the orchestra is renowned. Salonen, 67, served as the LA Phil’s music director from 1992-2009, when he commissioned and premiered a record-breaking number of works and was architect Frank Gehry’s partner in the construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown. “Esa-Pekka Salonen is a transformational artist whose vision helped shape the LA Phil into what it has become today,” LA Phil president & CEO Kim Noltemy said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have Esa-Pekka join the LA Phil in this historic new role, and we look forward to seeing how his innovative spirit will build on his hi