The Los Angeles Philharmonic has chosen Daniel Harding to be the orchestra’s 12th music director. This decision comes after a period of speculation surrounding the orchestra’s future once Gustavo Dudamel leaves for the New York Philharmonic in August. Harding will take on a six-year contract starting in the fall of 2027, conducting up to a dozen concerts each season.
Harding, a British conductor, initially performed with the L.A. Phil at the 1997 Ojai Festival. His debut was a challenging experience, yet by the end of the festival, he had impressed the orchestra. Since then, Harding has returned occasionally as a guest conductor while achieving international acclaim. In addition to music, he holds a commercial pilot license and occasionally flies for Air France.
Last summer, he led acclaimed Rachmaninoff programs at the Hollywood Bowl. These performances garnered significant attention from L.A. Phil musicians, positioning him as a contender to succeed Dudamel. Like Dudamel, Harding displayed early promise. Born in Oxford in 1975, he was an assistant to Simon Rattle at 17 with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Harding has conducted major orchestras in Scandinavia, Germany, Paris, Japan, China, and currently in Rome with the National Academy of Santa Cecilia. His discography is wide-ranging, showcasing music performed with clarity. Despite his success, he may seem an unconventional choice for L.A. Phil, which often selects charismatic, emerging conductors early in their careers.
The orchestra has evolved, serving a diverse community with broad initiatives in music education, pop and film music, and the visual and performing arts. Zubin Mehta and Gustavo Dudamel began their tenures at ages 26, while Esa-Pekka Salonen started at 34. The L.A. Phil’s vast ambition presents a unique challenge, requiring collective leadership to maintain its innovative momentum. Salonen, Dudamel, and contemporary conductor Anna Handler hold key roles within the orchestra.
Harding, who turns 50, retains a youthful enthusiasm but approaches the podium with a reserved British demeanor. He once remarked that he could sit unnoticed in a restaurant for 20 minutes, yet appears inspired when conducting, creating a seemingly effortless flow of music. Harding is eager for challenges, including exploring flying.
L.A. Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy remarked that Harding was the orchestra’s preference. “The orchestra,” she said, “believes in him as the ideal conductor who could take them to the next level.” Although Harding steps into a multifaceted situation, he has been warmly received by Salonen, Dudamel, and Handler, all of whom share a history with him. One of the first pieces he conducted at Ojai was “Gnarly Buttons” by John Adams, the L.A. Phil’s creative chair.
Harding plans to develop his vision for the L.A. Phil, working closely with familiar colleagues. He anticipates taking Youth Orchestra L.A. (YOLA) on tour in 2029, coinciding with Frank Gehry’s centenary. Despite the complexity of L.A.’s cultural landscape, Harding finds inspiration in it. He remains based in Paris, continuing his affiliation with Santa Cecilia through 2029.
Even with his passion for conducting, Harding delights in flying. Noltemy humorously mentioned that Harding plans to train on the latest Air France jets flying between Paris and L.A.
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