LA Philharmonic Names Daniel Harding Music Director on 6-Year Deal Starting 2027/28
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 26
LA Philharmonic Names Daniel Harding Music Director on 6-Year Deal Starting 2027/28
12 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Daniel Harding, 50, will take over as Los Angeles Philharmonic music director in the 2027/28 season under an initial six-year contract, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel after his August 2026 departure.
Harding will oversee programming across Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford and YOLA, conducting eight weeks in his first season and 12 weeks annually after that.
The British conductor first led the LA Phil in 1997 and currently heads Rome’s Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, after senior roles with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
Before formally starting, Harding will appear as music director designate in November 2026 and January 2027, leading programs spanning Brahms, Bernstein, Strauss, Thomas Adès and Betsy Jolas.
The appointment follows Dudamel’s move to the New York Philharmonic, ending a 17-year LA tenure in which the orchestra won 11 Grammy Awards while keeping him on as artistic and cultural laureate.
Will Harding’s 'intellectual' approach change the LA Philharmonic’s signature sound as Dudamel departs for rival New York?
Can a conductor who moonlights as an airline pilot successfully lead one of the world's most demanding orchestras?
Daniel Harding to Lead Los Angeles Philharmonic: Strategic Appointment Signals New Chapter in Innovation and Community Engagement
Overview
The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s appointment of Daniel Harding as its next Music Director marks a strategic shift for an orchestra that has become a cultural powerhouse, known for its innovation and service to a diverse community. Building on the legacy of Gustavo Dudamel, whose leadership made the role more attractive and challenging than ever, the LA Phil moves from its tradition of nurturing young, charismatic conductors to selecting an internationally acclaimed and experienced leader. Harding’s broad vision and collaborative approach are expected to further elevate the orchestra’s artistic excellence and community engagement, ensuring its continued growth as a global leader in classical music.