Berlin Philharmonic names Russian outsider as new conductor
Kirill Petrenko's election as new leader of the top German orchestra is a surprise given the low profile he keeps.
The Berlin Philharmonic, regarded as one of the world's best orchestras, tapped 43-year-old Russian Kirill Petrenko as its new chief conductor, it announced last week.
In a secret vote the day before, the orchestra's 124 musicians picked Petrenko "by a big majority" as a successor to Britain's Sir Simon Rattle, who is stepping down in 2018, orchestra leaders said in a hastily arranged news conference.
Petrenko, currently general music director (GMD) at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, was not at the news conference, but said in a statement released by the orchestra that words could not sum up the emotions he felt on taking over. His start date is still being negotiated.
"I will mobilise all my strength to be a worthy leader of this extraordinary orchestra and am aware also of the responsibility and the high expectations," he said in a statement.
The announcement was unexpected after members of the orchestra failed to elect a new chief conductor in May.
While Petrenko's name was frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, he had been seen as having only an outside chance because he is notoriously media-shy, a trait which would not seem to sit well with such a high-profile appointment.