The Los Angeles Philharmonic has named Daniel Harding as its next music director.
The British conductor will assume the role in the 2027/28 season under an initial six-year contract.
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Harding, 50, will succeed Gustavo Dudamel, who has led the orchestra since 2009 and will step down in August 2026 to become music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic.
Dudamel will remain connected to the LA Phil as artistic and cultural laureate.
Responsibilities and Background
As music director, Harding will oversee creative programming across the organization, including performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Ford, as well as the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).
He will lead eight weeks of programs in his first season, expanding to 12 weeks in subsequent years.
The orchestra, founded in 1919, has a history of premiering works by composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Witold Lutosławski, and John Adams.
Under Dudamel's 14-year tenure, the ensemble won 11 Grammy awards.
Kim Noltemy, president and chief executive, praised Harding as the overwhelming choice of the search committee, citing his intellectual curiosity, global perspective, and ability to engage new audiences.
Harding expressed excitement about working with the orchestra, noting its tradition under past music directors including Carlo Maria Giulini, Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Dudamel.
Career and Dual Life as a Pilot
Born in Oxford in 1975, Harding began his career as an assistant to Simon Rattle at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and later to Claudio Abbado at the Berlin Philharmonic.
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At 21, he became the youngest conductor to perform at the Proms.
He led the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra for 19 years and spent over two decades with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
He was principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2017 and has maintained ties with major orchestras in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Vienna.
His operatic work includes productions at La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, and the Royal Opera House.
Currently music director of Rome's Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Harding has guest-conducted several US orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic.
He first conducted the LA Phil in 1997 at the Ojai Music Festival.
In addition to conducting, Harding works as a commercial airline pilot for Air France, flying Airbus aircraft.
He plans to continue this dual career, noting that it helps him maintain perspective and learn about teamwork.
John Lofton, bass trombonist and search committee member, praised Harding's focus and musical insight. Dudamel and former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen also endorsed the appointment.
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As music director designate, Harding will lead the LA Phil in November 2026 and January 2027, with programs featuring works by Brahms, Bernstein, Strauss, and contemporary composers Thomas Adès and Betsy Jolas.
