All change in Birmingham as conductors switch roles
Kazuki Yamada is to replace Mirga Gra inyt -tyla as chief conductor of the CBSO
A er just five years at the helm of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Mirga Gra inyt -tyla has handed the baton over to the orchestra’s current principal guest conductor, Kazuki
Yamada. The pair are set to swap roles, with Gra inyt -tyla moving into the principal guest conductor position.
Yamada will become the CBSO’S first chief conductor from outside Europe when he begins his new post in April 2023. Having first worked with the orchestra in 2012, Yamada joined the musicians on their tour of Japan in 2016. Two years later, he was appointed the orchestra’s principal guest conductor. He also holds the role of principal conductor of Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-carlo as well as various positions in his home country of Japan. During his time as principal guest conductor of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, he recorded a series of danceinspired albums for the Pentatone label.
The CBSO’S leader Eugene Tzikindelean commented on Yamada’s appointment, saying, ‘I have rarely met a musician that is more faithful to the score or as respectful to the orchestra, whilst also being a brilliant and virtuosic maestro. I honestly don’t know what I love most about playing with him: his impeccable technique, his exquisite taste in music, style, or the depth of his artistic thoughts.’
Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gra inyt tyla joined the CBSO in 2016 and was the first female conductor to be appointed in the role. During her tenure with the orchestra she has championed new music, helping commission 40 new works as part of the CBSO’S centenary celebrations. She recorded symphonies by the Polish composer Weinberg with the orchestra for her debut on Deutsche Grammophon, followed by an album of British works (see review, p84). She cited her desire to step down from the music director role as a ‘deeply personal decision, reflecting my desire to step away from the organisational and administrative responsibilities, focusing more on my purely musical activities.’
‘I honestly don’t know what I love most about playing with Yamada’