New York Philharmonic appoints president and CEO

New York Philharmonic has today announced that Matías Tarnopolsky will become its president and CEO, effective from 1 January 2025. His appointment follows the July departure of its CEO and president Gary Ginstling who has stepped down after just over a year in the role.

Tarnopolsky moves to New York from his current role as president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. Throughout his six years the orchestra he oversaw its merger with the Kimmel Center in 2021, creating The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts and supported achievements including the rededication of the home of The Philadelphia Orchestra as Marian Anderson Hall, significant gains in fundraising and an expansion of the organisation’s endowment. He rejoins the New York-based orchestra having worked with the organisation as vice president of artistic planning from 2005 to 2009.

The announcement was made by New York Philharmonic board co-chairmen Peter W May and Oscar L Tang, who said: ‘Matías Tarnopolsky is a singular figure among orchestral leaders. Building on his lifelong love for our art form, he has forged impactful collaborations with orchestral musicians and dynamic artistic leaders. He is also a force for innovation who has created new ways of connecting with communities and tapping into emerging technologies. His extensive executive experience is enhanced by his time on the ground at the Philharmonic, when he oversaw artistic planning, giving him unusual insight into New York City’s vibrant cultural landscape. We know that Matías will be a visionary partner for Gustavo Dudamel as we prepare for his arrival as our next music and artistic director.’

Tarnopolsky also brings to his new role experience as executive and artistic director of Cal Performances at the University of California, Berkeley as well as with roles at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra. While at Cal Performances at UC Berkeley, Tarnopolsky launched a residency featuring the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela and New York Philharmonic's incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel.

Dudamel said: ‘Matías combines a deeply felt love of music with an unwavering commitment to building the best possible future for our art form. With his leadership, I am confident that we will bring to life our extraordinary, shared vision for the New York Philharmonic. I vividly remember when Matías came to Caracas in 2006 and, from that moment, I knew that I had met someone who would become one of the most important leaders in our industry. Through many years of working with him in Chicago, New York, and Berkeley, I have also discovered that he is someone who understands me innately, both as a musician and as a human. We have a special chemistry, and I know he is the perfect choice for this position.’

Tarnopolsky said: ‘Gustavo Dudamel, my dear friend and musical colleague of two decades, sees music as an inspiring, essential part of the human spirit, as a force for good, and as a vital living artform for all — we share a deep belief in this urgent idea, and it is an honor to join him, the musicians of the Philharmonic, the forward-looking Board of Directors led by Peter May and Oscar Tang, and the dedicated staff of this exceptional institution. We will rededicate ourselves to the New York Philharmonic’s contemporary place in the cultural and civic life of New York, for all New Yorkers, to create an inclusive, expansive, and joyful musical future. I am absolutely delighted to be leading the New York Philharmonic into the future to realize these ideals.’