LA Phil appoints Susanna Mälkki as principal guest conductor

Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki will take up the role of principal guest conductor of the LA Phil in the 2017/18 season for a three-year term.

The position has only been held by two other conductors: Sir Simon Rattle (1981-1994) and Michael Tilson Thomas (1981-1985).

Mälkki will present three subscription weeks as part of the Walt Disney Concert Hall 2017/18 season, Green Umbrella (the orchestra’s contemporary music series) dates, and other projects yet to be announced. She will develop multi-year projects and will have the opportunity to commission and present new music.

She first conducted the orchestra in 2010 and was immediately invited to return. LA Phil president Deborah Borda described her as ‘a unique talent who immediately had a deep connection with us and our musical values.’ She continued: ‘Her sense of adventure and innovation is making a major statement and impact in the world of music. It’s a terrific fit with the DNA of our institution.’

Mälkki has been principal guest conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra since 2013 and will be chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra from the 2016/17 season. Previous positions include music director of the Ensemble Intercontemporain and artistic director of Stavanger Symfoniorkester.

Click here to read an interview with Susanna Mälkki from June 2015.