Gergiev confirms move to Munich Philharmonic

23 January 2013, 15:55

Valery Gergiev will be the new principal conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, it has been revealed.

The principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev, has confirmed that he will become the new principal conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra when his contract with the LSO expires in 2015.

According to Gergiev's Facebook page: "This was decided by the town council on January 23 unanimously with a large majority." Gergiev's new contract with the Munich Philharmonic will last until 2020.

Earlier this week, following speculation about the conductor's plans after his contract expires, the LSO posted a press release: "The LSO has an excellent relationship with Valery Gergiev and we have ambitious plans through to the 2015/2016 season and beyond across the world. He is contracted as Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra until the end of 2015."

Speaking to Classic FM last month, Gergiev described the LSO as "a fantastic orchestra - it was a fantastic orchestra, it will be a fantastic orchestra."

Munich's chief culture official, Hans-Georg Kueppers, commented: "Valery Gergiev is indisputably one of the most important, influential and effective conductors of our time." He was, according to Kueppers, the first choice for the role.

Gergiev, 59, will replace the outgoing Lorin Maazel, 82, who has conducted the Munich Philharmonic since 2011.