NEWS ROUND-UP
News in brief Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened in the French capital following years of restoration to repair damage from a fire in April 2019. The reopening ceremony welcomed performers including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France led by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring soloist Olivier Latry, as well as pianist Lang Lang, cellists Yo-Yo Ma, Renaud Capuçon and Gauthier Capuçon, and sopranos Julie Fuchs and Pretty Yende. French organist and composer Thierry Escaich improvised on the cathedral’s newly rebuilt organ.
Plans to cut Berlin’s culture budget by €130m (£108.6m) have prompted around 450 organisations, from theatres and opera houses to nightclubs and galleries, to team up in opposition. The Berlin Is Culture (#BerlinIstKultur) alliance has called on Berlin’s Christian Democratled government to think again, saying the cuts would force them to cancel performances or even face bankruptcy.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is set to receive the largest single gift ever received in its 184-year history. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has awarded the orchestra a £3.5 million endowment, investment gains from which will be used to support RLPO’s engagement work with young people. The orchestra also recieves a £500,000 grant which will be used over five years to expand the reach of its In Harmony Youth Hubs.
New York Philharmonic appoints president and CEO
Matías Tarnopolsky has been chosen as the new president and CEO of the New York Philharmonic, effective from 1 January. His appointment follows the July 2024 departure of Gary Ginstling, who stepped down after just over a year in the role, citing the need for 'a different type of leadership'.
Tarnopolsky (pictured) joins the orchestra from his current role as president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. Throughout his six years with the orchestra he oversaw its merger with the Kimmel Center in 2021 and supported achievements including the rededication of the orchestra’s home, the Marian Anderson Hall, as well as significant gains in fundraising and an expansion of the organisation’s endowment. He rejoins the New York Philharmonic having worked with the organisation as vice president of artistic planning from 2005 to 2009.
The announcement was made by New York Philharmonic board co-chairmen Peter W May and Oscar L Tang, who said: ‘Matías Tarnopolsky is a singular figure among orchestral leaders. Building on his lifelong love for our art form, he has forged impactful collaborations with orchestral musicians and dynamic artistic leaders. He is also a force for innovation who has created new ways of connecting with communities and tapping into emerging technologies.’
Tarnopolsky also brings to his new position experience with organisations including the
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Chicago Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was also artistic director of Cal Performances at the University of California, in Berkley, where he launched a residency featuring the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela and New York Philharmonic's incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel.
NCEM launches Young Composers Award
The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) has launched its Young Composers Award 2025. This year, participating composers will be working with baroque instrumental group the Brook Street Band, who will also perform the shortlisted compositions.
Young composers up to the age of 25 are invited to write a short work for two violins, cello and harpsichord, a popular late 17th and early 18th century chamber music grouping. Winning works in two age categories – 18 years and under and 19 to 25 years – will be premiered by the Brook Street Band in October as part of the band’s love:Handel festival and will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show.
NCEM director Delma Tomlin MBE said: ‘The Young Composers Award is one of the most important dates on the NCEM’s calendar and continues to grow from strength to strength, attracting more and more entries from aspiring young composers from all over the UK. Taking part in the award has been an important step in the careers of many successful composers and we are looking forward to hearing this year’s new compositions.’
Registration for the competition closes on 7 February, with the deadline for submission of scores on 7 March. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an Award Day in York on 15 May where they will participate in a workshop led by NCEM trustee Dr Christopher Fox. The compositions will then be performed by The Brook Street Band at the NCEM’s home in York.
Brook Street Band cellist and director Tatty Theo said: ‘We’re thrilled to have the privilege of working with young composers, giving life to brand new music that will showcase the varied colours and rich character of our old baroque instruments. Handel’s music is at the heart of our musicmaking, and we cherish this opportunity to explore the creativity it inspires'.
6 | Classical Music | Winter 2025
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