Conductor Sir Simon Rattle is leaving his role at the London Symphony Orchestra for a new job in Germany.
Sir Simon, whose family live in Berlin, said he was joining the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra as chief conductor in Munich for “entirely personal” reasons, “enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way”.
He will stay as LSO music director until 2023 when he will become conductor emeritus.
He said: “I love the London Symphony Orchestra. I remain committed to the LSO, and we have plans for major projects in the coming years. I am thrilled that we will be making music together far into the future.”
Sir Simon became music director of the London orchestra in 2017 having worked in Berlin for many years.
His return was tied in with plans to build a world-class London concert hall, the Centre for Music. Economic shocks expected from Brexit and the pandemic have damaged the chances of the £288 million project being built.
