Wanted: Conductor for Popular Midlands Orchestra

Today came the news that the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is looking for a new conductor, as Sakari Oramo anounced that he would be stepping down as Music Director. Fans needn’t panic-buy tickets yet – even after he completes the 2007/08 season he will be staying on in the new capacity of Principal Guest Conductor.

It’s a sad day really. He had an impossible task, filling Sir Simon Rattle’s large curly-haired shoes, and yet he did it. Where Rattle had turned the CBSO into one of the world’s elite, Oramo gave it a modern appeal, making it the Ipod of the classical world. It’s sad on a personal note too – the CBSO was a weekly friend during my time studying in Birmingham, and I have worked with Oramo as a student and professional. He has an amazing energy which is harnessed on the podium. But then all things must end.

So who will take his place? A quick scan of concert seasons around many international orchestras of a similar standing sees that there is no such thing as a conductor tied with a specific orchestra, certainly not in the way there used to be. At least 35% of concerts will be done by visiting artists in even the most enclosed orchestras. Long gone are the days when the name of the Principal Conductor used to justify the existence of an orchestra. Who will take over the reigns at Symphony Hall remains to be seen…