São Paulo Symphony Fires John Neschling

French conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier is to succeed John Neschling as music director of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP). He begins next month.

In June, Neschling announced his intent to step down at the expiration of his contract, in 2010, having been in the job since 1997 and having transformed the orchestra from one of uneven quality to an important international touring, recording and performing ensemble.

But Neschling was fired prematurely last week via e-mail by Fernando Hernique Cardoso, the ex-president of Brazil and head of the foundation that administers the orchestra. Tension between Cardoso and Neschling over the choice of the latter’s successor had been mounting for months, and came to a head Dec. 9 when Neschling charged he had been completely excluded from the hiring process. Cardoso then declared that this was affecting the musicians and that he had no choice but to remove Neschling before the end of his contract.

Tortelier, 61, was until last year principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, a post he also held with the BBC Philharmonic from 1992 until 2003. The son of the late cellist Paul Tortelier, he guest conducts regularly. The plan is for him to lead eight programs in São Paulo in 2009 and 12 in 2010.

Founded in 1954, the OSESP has been based since 1999 at São Paulo Concert Hall, a 1920s converted train station that has been widely praised for its acoustics. It was Neschling who convinced the local authorities to build the hall for the orchestra.

The orchestra did not respond to e-mail queries about Neschling’s departure.