Dudamel to NY Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel

Photo courtesy of NY Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel will be the next music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, succeeding Jaap van Zweden. Here's the announcement that just landed:

We are thrilled to announce today that Gustavo Dudamel will join the NY Phil as Music and Artistic Director in the 2026–27 season, serving as Music Director Designate during the 2025–26 season. Dudamel will become part of a storied legacy that includes Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, and Leonard Bernstein. 

“I am grateful to the musicians and leadership of the New York Philharmonic as we embark on this new and beautiful journey together,” said Dudamel. “As the great poet Federico García Lorca said, ‘Every step we take on earth brings us to a new world.’ I gaze with joy and excitement at the world that lies before me in New York City. All of us are united in our belief that culture creates a better world, and that music is a fundamental right. I look forward to the work ahead.” 

More gushing information at the NY Phil web site. 

His commute to Paris will be half the length, and now the LA Phil will choose a music director to succeed him. (Do not look to the north, please. You had him for 17 years, right?)

In the news:

• NY Phil press release
• Javier C. Hernández, NY Times. "Gustavo Dudamel, Star Maestro, to Leave L.A. for New York Philharmonic."
• Zachary Woolfe, NY Times. "Will Dudamel Be New York's New Bernstein?" Is that the right question here? Regarding reactive appointments, Alex Ross made the same point when Jaap van Zweden was appointed to the NY Phil. I will also stick my neck out far enough to say that the living conductor who most resembles Bernstein is Michael Tilson Thomas.
• Justin Davidson, Vulture
• Joshua Barone, NY Times. "Gustavo Dudamel: An Introduction in 10 Recordings." (The only one I know is Adams, Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?, which is fine.)
• Javier C. Hernández, NY Times. "A Maestro at the Crossroads."
• James Barron, NY Times. "Can Gustavo Dudamel's Star Power Boost the Philharmonic?"
• Mark Swed, LA Times. "Dudamel Transformed LA. That's Why NY Poached Him."

One of the things I'm struck by, looking at the list of U.S. orchestra openings and appointments, is how few music directors at the large-budget groups are from the U.S. It's not as though American conductors are less talented than than European and South American peers.