Latest update on the three Berlin concerts (June 5-7), from the Berliner Philharmoniker website and Slippedisc.com:
John Williams had hoped to conduct the Berliner Philharmoniker himself, personally guiding the Berlin audience through the cosmos of his work. Unfortunately, he has been obliged to withdraw from the performance for health reasons. Stéphane Denève, his close friend and musical associate and Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will conduct in his place.
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Press statement:
It is with great regret that due to a health issue from which he is still recovering, John Williams will be unable to travel to Berlin to participate in the concerts in June. His close friend and musical associate, Stéphane Denève, will conduct the concerts from 5 to 7 June with the programme conceived by John Williams, which remains unchanged.
The Berliner Philharmoniker and John Williams are very grateful to Stéphane Denève for his willingness to take over the concerts.
Stéphane Denève is music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, artistic director of the New World Symphony, and principal guest conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2022, Denève was given the honour of conducting John Williams’ official 90th Birthday Gala at the Kennedy Center with the NSO Washington.