The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Edward Gardner will succeed Vladimir Jurowski as its new principal conductor. Gardner will take up the position at the start of the 2021/22 season, and so become the first British principal conductor of the orchestra since John Pritchard in the 1960s.
Gardner, who is currently chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, will initially join the LPO for five years, leading its season as resident orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall and on international tours. He first conducted the orchestra in 2003, and has done so several times since at the Royal Festival Hall, Snape Maltings and Glyndebourne.
Before taking on the position in 2021, Gardner will appear four times in the coming season and will also open the 2020/21 season.
‘I’m thrilled to have been appointed principal conductor of the LPO,’ says Gardner. ‘I worked with the orchestra early in my career and I was quite overwhelmed by the brilliance and virtuosity of the musicians. Returning to the orchestra recently I’ve felt a sense of pleasure and privilege working with this inspiring group of musicians.’
