Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen made his conducting debut in the U.S. with the LA Phil in 1984. (photo by Josh S. Rose)

Kim Noltemy, LA Phil president and CEO and David C. Bohnett Presidential Chair, announced on Sept. 2 the expansion of the LA Phil’s artistic leadership team with the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen to the newly established position of the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen Creative Director. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, Salonen will conduct and curate approximately six weeks of concerts with the LA Phil and focus on multi-disciplinary projects, festivals and the innovative programming for which the orchestra is renowned.

The LA Phil has grown tremendously over the past 25 years, and its institutional goals are grounded in artistic excellence, continually seeking opportunities to expand audiences, opening more avenues for artist voices and expression and building new paths for orchestral music. As the LA Phil looked to its future, it created the role of creative director, a unique leadership structure designed to help shepherd the organization into its next era. When the LA Phil considered the new position, it was very clear that Salonen was the ideal artist to inaugurate the role of the LA Phil’s first creative director. The search for the LA Phil’s next music director is ongoing, and the music director and creative director roles will be complementary to each other.

The LA Phil has also formed an artistic partnership with Salonen and the Philharmonie de Paris performing arts center, which simultaneously appointed Salonen as creativity and innovation chair as well as principal conductor, Orchestre de Paris. Drawing on the exceptional artistry and creativity of Paris and Los Angeles, the partnership will include collaborative initiatives between the organizations such as a new Salonen International Conducting Fellowship nurturing a rising generation of conductors, a new series of ballet commissions, pairings of some of the world’s most compelling choreographers and composers, beginning with Benjamin Millepied and Gabriella Smith, as well as joint festivals and a new project featuring immersive experiences that combine music, media and technology.

“Esa-Pekka Salonen is a transformational artist whose vision helped shape the LA Phil into what it has become today,” Noltemy said. “We are thrilled to have Esa-Pekka join the LA Phil in this historic new role, and we look forward to seeing how his innovative spirit will build on his highly celebrated legacy here and around the world. The addition of a creative director to our artistic team gives us an even greater ability to serve our audiences, bring unparalleled musical experiences to our iconic stages and push the boundaries of what an orchestra can do.”

For information, visit laphil.com.