Russian conductor named music director at top London orchestra

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World-renowned conductor Vasily Petrenko was named as the new music director of the London-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Monday.

It will mean Petrenko leaving his current role in 2021 after 15 years as chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO), making him one of the longest serving conductors in the orchestra's 178-year history.

The RLPO announced he will become Conductor Laureate, maintaining his links with the famous Liverpool orchestra after his departure.

File of Vasily Petrenko performing in Shenzhen city, China. /VCG Photo

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announced the appointment of the 42-year-old Russian on its website.

The RPO said Petrenko is destined to become Music Director Designate in August 2020, soon after finishing work as Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

He will commence his tenure at the beginning of the 2021-22 season, initially for five years, with the RPO saying: "His appointment stands as a major landmark in the Orchestra's history."

A spokeswoman for the RLPO said: "By 2021, Petrenko will have led the orchestra for 15 years, making him one of the longest-serving conductors in its 178-year-old history."

"During his time with Liverpool Philharmonic, Petrenko has been instrumental in raising its musical excellence and increasing the number of recordings, commissions and international tours undertaken by the Orchestra, all of which have radically raised its profile and standing. Audiences in Liverpool have grown by 36 percent during this time," she said.

File of Vasily Petrenko performing in Shenzhen city, China. /VCG Photo

Petrenko said: "I'm passionate about Liverpool, one of the greatest cities anywhere in the world. We've achieved so much and I'm looking forward very much to the next three years working together as one of the world's great orchestras and the pride of Liverpool."

He noted "the time feels right for me to take on new challenges. I am so honored to be named as Conductor Laureate, and to maintain my links with Liverpool, of which our orchestra is the jewel in the crown."

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency