The Interwebz were abuzz today with news of the Oscar Nominations Sir Simon Rattle’s departure from the Berlin Philharmonic. Many intelligent classical music writers speculated on who would be his successor, but my question is, who will be the HAIR to the throne. Ba-zing!
So, as I promised my loyal Twitter followers, we’ll just settle this the easy way: Who Wore It Best, The Simon Rattle Hair Edition. Here are some of the contenders:
Andris Nelsons
Daniel Barenboim
Gustavo Dudamel
Vladimir Jurowski
Christian Thielemann
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
It was special-requested on Twitter that I include Esa-Pekka in this listing. I asked him if he would fire me if I did, and he said Simon is grey, so he’d prefer Dudamel hair. If he fires me anyway, you’re welcome, Internet: I did this for you.
I think Nelsons is the clear winner in the Hair competition, with Yannick as runner-up. (Maybe he and Rattle could switch places, with Yannick in Berlin and Simon in Philadelphia. There are certainly Philadelphians who are fantasizing about that very scenario.)
The Hair loser is obviously Jurowski.
I think Esa-Pekka’s Dudamel-do needs to be blond.
Many years ago my amazing talented conductor-husband was reviewed in a London paper, whilst conducting the City of London Chamber Orchestra and described as “every inch a better looking version of Simon Rattle.” Whilst he would no doubt have preferred to reviewed as “every inch a better conductor” he may take some consolation from the fact that he has kept his curls brown for a lot longer! I nominate him for Berlin’s top spot – he has all the qualifications, no wig needed.
Jurowski looks like grandma