Los Angeles Philharmonic announces Daniel Harding as next music director

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced British conductor Daniel Harding as its next music director, set to begin his tenure in the 2027/28 season. Harding, 50, has signed an initial six-year contract, taking over from Gustavo Dudamel, who will conclude his 15-year directorship in August 2026.

Dudamel is moving to the New York Philharmonic as its music and artistic director but will maintain a connection with the LA Phil as its artistic and cultural laureate. Harding's responsibilities will encompass programming for the orchestra's presentations at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford, as well as overseeing Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (Yola).

In his first season, Harding is slated to conduct eight weeks of programming, increasing to 12 weeks in subsequent years. The orchestra, founded in 1919, has a rich history of commissioning and premiering works by renowned composers and has received 11 Grammy awards for recordings made under Dudamel's direction.

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We are immensely proud to welcome Daniel Harding as the LA Phil’s next music director, following an extensive search led by a committee of our musicians, board and staff. He is greatly admired by the orchestra and was the overwhelming choice based on their feedback. His intellectual curiosity, passion for bringing in and engaging with new audiences, global perspective, and talent for nurturing emerging voices directly align with the LA Phil’s mission and vision.

"We are immensely proud to welcome Daniel Harding as the LA Phil’s next music director," said President and CEO Kim Noltemy. "He is greatly admired by the orchestra and was the overwhelming choice based on their feedback. His intellectual curiosity, passion for bringing in and engaging with new audiences, global perspective, and talent for nurturing emerging voices directly align with the LA Phil’s mission and vision."

Harding expressed his excitement, stating, "Making music with the magnificent LA musicians is a thrill and an inspiration. Inheriting an orchestra with a tradition that includes Giulini and Mehta and shaped most recently by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo, is an extraordinary gift. I come to California full of excitement for what we will discover and create together."

Harding's distinguished career includes 19 years with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and over two decades with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, which he co-founded. He also served as principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and maintains long-standing relationships with major orchestras worldwide. A celebrated opera conductor, he has led acclaimed productions at leading opera houses globally.

“

Making music with the magnificent LA musicians is a thrill and an inspiration. Inheriting an orchestra with a tradition that includes Giulini and Mehta and shaped most recently by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo, is an extraordinary gift. I come to California full of excitement for what we will discover and create together.