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went on to be appointed the orchestra’s principal guest conductor in 2018. Earlier
this year, his contract was extended until 2023.

He also holds the role of principal conductor of Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-
Carlo, as well as various positions in Japan.

The CBSO’s leader Eugene Tzikindelean commented on Yamada’s appointment,
saying ‘I have rarely met a musician that is more faithful to the score or as respectful
to the orchestra, whilst also being a brilliant and virtuosic Maestro. I honestly don’t
know what I love most about playing with him: his impeccable technique, his
exquisite taste in music, style, or the depth of his artistic thoughts. I’m really looking
forward to many years of making music together.’

Gražinytė-Tyla has led the CBSO as music director since 2016, when she
became the orchestra’s first female music director and only the third female chief
conductor of a major British orchestra. The only women to have led such orchestras
before her were Marin Alsop, who was principal conductor of the Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2008, and JoAnn Falletta, principal conductor of
the Ulster Orchestra from 2011 to 2014. It was announced earlier this year
that Gražinytė-Tyla would move into a principal guest conductor position in
summer 2022.

‘I have decided to give up my position of Music Director of the CBSO at the end of
the 2021/22 season,’ says Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. ‘This is a deeply personal decision,
reflecting my desire to step away from the organisational and administrative
responsibilities of being a Music Director at this particular moment in my life and
focusing more on my purely musical activities.’

Read more news from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Read our reviews of recordings by the City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra