Around the Music Festival

On January 11, Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra, announced his retirement at the end of the 2027/2028 season.

Welser-Möst was born in Linz, Austria, and is 63 years old. He has held the position since 2002, making his 25-year tenure the longest of any music director in history.

Last September, he announced that he would need to undergo 12 to 16 months of treatment for cancer. He just returned to the orchestra’s podium on this day.

His published comments are as follows.

………　I am immensely grateful for the extraordinary journey that I have had with The Cleveland Orchestra since I first came to Severance more than 30 years ago. It is both a special and an emotional moment as I reflect on what we have accomplished together. But perhaps what matters most to me is the shared passion, the inspiring creativity, and the lasting friendships that I have had the privilege of building with our musicians, audiences, and fans around the world. The city of Cleveland, its people, and especially this wonderful orchestra will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Photo：Cleveland Orchestra