Esa-Pekka Salonen to be composer-in-residence with the New York Philharmonic

Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen will join the New York Philharmonic as composer-in-residence for three years.

Salonen will start his residency with the orchestra at the beginning of the 2015-16 season. During that season the orchestra will perform three of the composer’s works.

The composer said: “I’m very lucky to work with this orchestra during a time that I’m sure will become known as one of its golden periods. I have such great admiration for Alan Gilbert [music director of the New York Philharmonic], and he approaches my music in a very insightful way, treating it like he would established masterpieces. I am very touched by that.”

Salonen will also conduct concerts during the orchestra’s ‘Messiaen Week’ and advise on programming new music.

Alan Gilbert said: “Esa-Pekka Salonen is a truly compelling composer whose music the orchestra has embraced in the past, and the Philharmonic musicians have responded to his many conducting appearances with commitment and enthusiasm.”

The first work by Salonen the orchestra will perform is the New York premiere of Salonen’s L.A. Variations on 25 September 2015. For more information, visit the New York Philharmonic website.