Pekka Kuusisto will begin his tenure as chief conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) beginning in April 2028 for an initial term of three years. He succeeds Kazushi Ono, in the post since the 2015-16 season, whose contract … » Read

The Curtis Institute of Music has named one of its most illustrious alumna—superstar pianist Yuja Wang—to a new position as “artistic collaborator.” She will not become a piano professor or give weekly studio lessons; the … » Read

Beginning with the 2026/2027 season, Elias Grandy will succeed Petr Popelka as chief conductor and artistic director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. The German-Japanese conductor first collaborated with the ensemble in March 2025, … » Read

The National Symphony Orchestra Ireland (NSOI), formerly the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, has named Alexander Shelley to be its next principal conductor starting in fall of 2026, for three seasons. He succeeds Jaime Martin, who stepped … » Read

The foundation that governs La Fenice, Venice’s famed opera house, has unanimously selected Beatrice Venezi, a pianist and conductor, as the company’s new music director, beginning in October of 2026 for a four-year term. She will … » Read

Leslie Kandell, classical music critic, journalist, and a New Yorker born and bred, died on September 18 after an illness of eight months. She was 89 and died peacefully at her home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. A longtime contributor to … » Read

As the China National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Orchestra launches its 15 th season, it appoints longtime collaborator Xian Zhang as principal guest conductor. Her relationship with the orchestra dates to 2015 and her new position … » Read

On the eve of its new season, which launches on Sept. 24, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announced three new artistic appointments. Sir John Rutter’s decades of composing, conducting, arranging, and recording with the ensemble are … » Read

David C. Stabler, The Oregonian ’s classical music critic and arts reporter for nearly 30 years, died Sept. 17. He was 72. The cause was acute myeloid leukemia, according to his brother.  Stabler was a finalist for the 2003 Pulitzer … » Read

Given the massive layoffs taking place in public media, as per the current administration’s wishes, it’s somewhat surprising to learn that NPR Music has just hired a new executive director. She is Sonali Mehta, most recently chief of … » Read