The U.K.'s classical landscape was hit by the cultural equivalent of a bombshell earlier this week as news spread that Roger Wright, the controller of BBC Radio Three and of the BBC Proms, will step down to run the Aldeburgh Festival. This is a big win for Aldeburgh for all its excellent previous directors, its connection to Benjamin Britten and its well-known music director, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. Hiring the boss of the country's most influential classical radio network (though Classic FM has a far higher listenership) and the world's largest classical music festival will focus attention on the seaside town.
But nobody predicted Wright's departure from one of the most powerful positions in the U.K. music world. Indeed, he had weathered various controversies about alleged "dumbing-down" of programming with his characteristic charm and affability, and had managed to remain popular and respected--and Radio Three, in particular, is one of those jobs where that is no mean feat. His leadership at the Proms was not controversial, with new commissions pouring in and among the habitually top-notch list of artists some great discoveries, not least Gustavo Dudamel who arguably hit the big-time at a Prom, and local hero, conductor John Wilson.
So, who will replace Wright? Insiders are falling over themselves to speculate but in fact it's almost impossible to predict. And much depends on whether the two jobs are split up or remain in the hands of a single person. If the latter they will need someone with broadcast experience and experience in the live event sphere. That would point towards the heads of one of the BBC orchestras--some have mentioned Paul Hughes, who runs the BBC Symphony. There's also Richard Wigley, who has just left the BBC Philharmonic. Or from other orchestras, Stephen Maddock at the CBSO and John Summers at the Halle are among those doing bang-up jobs.
Is there anyone from Tony Hall's tenure at Covent Garden? The arts-loving director-general will take a close interest in this flagship appointment. Further afield, Peter Alward has been leading Salzburg and previously ran EMI, so he has an impeccable pedigree. Marshall Marcus, erstwhile music head at the Southbank Centre, certainly knows his eggs and is close to Gustavo Dudamel and El Sistema, where he currently has a position (he also runs the European Union Youth Orchestra). For the Proms he could be an excellent choice.
There are some outsider candidates in the recording industry (Wright did a stint running DG prior to Radio Three). Paul Moseley, who runs Decca, is close to some important artists. Costa Pilavacchi has as good credentials as many, having run Philips, EMI and now the senior guiding hand at Universal and previously had the artists and rep job at the Boston Symphony Orchestra--but he's unlikely to want the job I suspect, and the Beeb will probably want a Brit.
Would any of Radio Three's presenters or producers have a shot? It may seem a stretch, but my friend and former colleague James Jolly has a CV that would stand up to scrutiny--editor-in-chief of Gramophone, Radio Three presenter and former producer--but I'm not sure he'd want the Proms. Radio Three alone, maybe.
Angela Dixon was well-liked at the Barbican Centre and left only recently. She has a new job, but if the Proms came calling...
And there's Jude Kelly at the Southbank Centre. Or maybe ex-LSO boss Clive Gillinson could be lured homeward from Carnegie Hall.
In fact, there's little point speculating. Wright's successor (or successors) could come from almost anywhere. One thing is for sure, though. Whoever it is will have a major impact on cultural life in the U.K. and beyond.
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