The LA Philharmonic new music director has been officially named as British conductor Daniel Harding, marking a historic transition for one of America’s premier orchestras. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association (LA Phil) confirmed the appointment through a joint statement released on May 26 by CEO Kim Noltemi and Board Chair Jason Subotky. Harding will succeed Gustavo Dudamel, who has led the orchestra since 2009, bringing a fresh musical leadership to the ensemble for the first time in 18 years.
“Harding received overwhelming support from our orchestra musicians,” stated CEO Kim Noltemi. “His intellectual curiosity, passion for connecting with new audiences, and global perspective perfectly align with the future vision of the LA Phil.”
Harding also shared his excitement about the appointment, noting that working with the LA Phil musicians has always brought him immense inspiration and thrills. “It is a profound honor to continue the legendary tradition established by giants like Carlo Maria Giulini, Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel,” he added.
Daniel Harding to Energize LA Philharmonic New Music Director Role
Harding is sched
uled to officially begin his tenure with the 2027โ2028 season. In his new capacity, he will oversee major artistic programming at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. His responsibilities will also extend to directing YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), the orchestra’s signature youth music education initiative, alongside expanding international tours and global collaborations.
Known for his exceptionally broad repertoire that spans from the Baroque era to contemporary music, Harding is highly praised for his interpretations of Mahler, Mozart, and Britten, as well as modern works by Thomas Adรจs and Unsuk Chin. He has also earned international acclaim for his mastery in opera conducting.
From Prodigy to Global Maestro
Born in Oxford, England, in 1975, Harding began drawing serious attention for conducting contemporary music during his teenage years. He entered the professional music world serving as an assistant to Sir Simon Rattle, and was later recruited by Claudio Abbado, establishing a deep connection with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Harding gained worldwide stardom in 1998 after conducting opera Don Giovanni at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in France. Since then, he has led top-tier European orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, and currently serves as the music director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Rai and the upcoming music director of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Italy. Beyond his musical accolades as a Grammy Award winner, Harding is also famously known for working as a commercial airline pilot.
