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Daniel Harding Named LA Philharmonic Director, Replacing Dudamel

5/26/2026

Summary

Harding Appointed Music Director

The Los Angeles Philharmonic appointed Daniel Harding as music director, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel, for the 2027-28 season.
Harding signed a six-year deal to conduct eight weeks his first season and twelve weeks thereafter.
He will keep piloting Airbus A320s for Air France since 2021 and direct Italy's Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in the second year of a five-year contract.

Summary

Harding Takes Helm

Kim Noltemy announced that an extensive search by musicians, board and staff chose Harding as the candidate.
Harding will direct touring, supervise programming at Walt Disney Concert Hall and Hollywood Bowl, and serves as Conductor Laureate of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
The 2026/27 season will feature Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with Leif Ove Andsnes and Adès’ The Exterminating Angel Symphony paired with Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra.

Summary

Harding Leads YOLA

Harding will lead Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) on a 2029 tour for Frank Gehry’s centenary.
He will keep his music-director post at Rome’s Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia through 2029, based in Paris.
He will train on Air France’s newest transatlantic jets, linking piloting to his Los Angeles duties.
Harding says his flying background and Los Angeles’ diversity, inspired by Carlo Maria Giulini’s early work with Santa Cecilia, will shape his artistic direction.

History

Historical Context

In 1958 Leonard Bernstein became music director of the New York Philharmonic, replacing earlier youth-concert efforts and launching televised Young People’s Concerts that reached millions. His programming introduced Mahler, Nielsen and Ives and led to more than 40 world premieres, while his Columbia Records partnership released over 400 works, reshaping American orchestral culture.

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Harding Appointed Music Director

The Los Angeles Philharmonic appointed Daniel Harding as music director, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel, for the 2027-28 season.
Harding signed a six-year deal to conduct eight weeks his first season and twelve weeks thereafter.
He will keep piloting Airbus A320s for Air France since 2021 and direct Italy's Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in the second year of a five-year contract.

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