Symphony Orchestras Appointed New Music Directors
The San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic have named their new artistic leaders.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Classical
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The San Francisco Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic have officially appointed new music directors. Elim Chan and Daniel Harding will lead their respective organizations beginning in 2027.
Why it matters
The appointments represent a shift for the San Francisco Symphony away from hiring established European male conductors, while the Los Angeles Philharmonic continues its tradition of selecting younger leaders.
Elim Chan, who won the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, will be the first woman to lead the 115-year-old San Francisco Symphony. Daniel Harding arrives at the Los Angeles Philharmonic following a 19-year tenure with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The players
Elim Chan
She is a 39-year-old conductor and winner of the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition.
Daniel Harding
He is a 51-year-old conductor who previously led the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra for 19 years and is also a commercial pilot.
San Francisco Symphony
This musical institution has a 115-year history and is located in San Francisco.
Los Angeles Philharmonic
This major American orchestra is based in Los Angeles.
The details
The San Francisco Symphony selected Chan following three successful guest appearances. Harding, a licensed commercial pilot who was mentored by Simon Rattle and Claudio Abbado, will begin his new role in 2027.
Timeline
Elim Chan first guest-conducted the San Francisco Symphony in early 2023.
The new music directors were announced in the spring of 2026.
The orchestras opened their 2026 seasons in September 2026.
Elim Chan will officially take over as music director in September 2027.
Industry Dynamics
These appointments signify a major shift in how storied American institutions approach leadership in an evolving cultural landscape. By balancing tradition with new representation, these orchestras are positioning themselves for a transition away from a 35-year historical hiring trend.
Patrons and subscribers can expect changes in programming and artistic direction once the new music directors assume their roles in 2027. Ticket availability for these future seasons will remain accessible through the respective symphony websites.
The takeaway
These appointments suggest a new era for major American symphonies as they refine their artistic leadership strategies. Audience members should look for updated 2027 season schedules to see how these new directors influence the musical repertoire.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional music, visit Classical.
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