The Munich Philharmonic has not had a chief conductor for almost a year. But now it is finally clear who will lead the renowned orchestra.
The Israeli musician Lahav Shani becomes chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic. On Wednesday, the city council voted in favor of the 34-year-old’s appointment. He is scheduled to start in the 2026/2027 season, initially for five years. But even before that he wants to be in Munich frequently. The designated chief conductor announced that he already wanted to give the orchestra as much time as possible.
Shani, who despite his young age was already able to celebrate considerable success, was the ensemble’s preferred candidate. Orchestra director Paul Müller spoke of a generational change that offers the Philharmonic enormous development potential. Shani is also a thoroughbred musician who not only conducts, but can also play the piano and double bass.
Alexandra Gruber, spokeswoman for the orchestra board, even spoke of a “love marriage”. “We enter this new era with an open heart,” she said. The spark had already jumped over last March at a joint benefit concert. “We noticed: It just fits.”
Still committed in Rotterdam
Nevertheless, after getting to know each other for the first time, it took almost a year for the city council to approve the personal details – and another three and a half years will pass before Shani really starts in Munich. Until the summer of 2026 he will still be chief conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Rotterdam. He wants to keep his position as music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Shani therefore also announced joint projects between the orchestras in Tel Aviv and Munich.
He is also following the planned renovation of the Gasteig cultural center and philharmonic hall with interest. Ironically, on the day of the official presentation, it became known that the award procedure had been stopped – because there was only one applicant and, according to the city, was unsuitable. “You just have to build it, it shouldn’t just remain a fantasy,” said Shani before the problems with the award procedure became public. The fact that his future orchestra will play in the Isarphilharmonie for the first few years of his tenure does not bother him. This is a wonderful hall.
Shani will succeed Valeri Gergiev, who was released over a year ago. In the opinion of the Munich City Council, the conductor had not sufficiently distanced himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. (dpa)