Yannick Nézet-Séguin renews contract with Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced the extension of its partnership with music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. As well as a continuation of Nézet-Séguin’s tenure through 2030, the orchestra also revealed an expansion of his title to music and artistic director.

Nézet-Séguin is currently serving his 11th season as music director, and his work across the last decade has included an expansion of the orchestra and its repertoire through the hiring of 23 musicians since the start of his tenure and the commissioning of 37 works from composers, including composer-in-residence Gabriela Lena Frank.

Bassist David Fay, chair of the Members’ Committee of the Orchestra, said: ‘Since he began his tenure as music director, Yannick has led as a great artist and as a true partner, and we are very appreciative of the respect and consideration he gives to each member. We look forward to making more beautiful music with Yannick and to continuing our musical exploration together for many years to come.’

Nézet-Séguin’s tenure has also seen the orchestra receive its first Grammy. In 2022 the orchestra won the Award for Best Orchestral Performance for their recording of Florence Price’s First and Third Symphonies in partnership with Deutsche Grammophon. Alongside his work with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Nézet-Séguin also serves as music director of the Metropolitan Opera.

In recognition of their much-loved artistic collaborator, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the City of Philadelphia have launched the first ‘Philly Loves Yannick Week’. Starting today and running until 10 February, the week will see creative celebrations across the city including a ticket giveaway , plus speciality cocktails and doughnuts and limited-edition figurines of Nézet-Séguin.

Nézet-Séguin will join the celebration on Friday with appearances at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the High School for Creative and Performing Arts and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvaniabefore being presented with a ‘Philly Loves Yannick Week’ proclamation by the city’s mayor.

Nézet-Séguin said: ‘Through the most complex challenges, to the creative process of realizing new ideas, to the heights of music-making with this magnificent ensemble, I am both honored and so happy to continue this true collaboration, with the gift of a long horizon. I am already imagining our future work together and the beautiful music we will offer to the people of Philadelphia, and far beyond.’