Dutoit Replaced at New York Philharmonic Concerts After Assault Allegations

Joshua Weilerstein will conduct a series of New York Philharmonic concerts in January, after Charles Dutoit stepped down from the podium following sexual assault allegations.

The Associated Press reported on Dec. 21 that four women claimed that Dutoit sexually assaulted them in incidents between 1985 and 2010. He denied the accusations, but nevertheless severed ties with many orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, where he was artistic director and principal conductor.

Dutoit, 81, had also been tapped to conduct the New York Philharmonic’s Ravel-centered program, Jan. 17-20, which will include performances of “Le tombeau de Couperin,” “Valses nobles et sentimentales,” and the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet as soloist. Now Weilerstein, who is Dutoit’s junior by about half a century, will take over, with the program unchanged.

Weilerstein was appointed assistant conductor at the New York Philharmonic in 2011. He is the artistic director of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne in Switzerland.

As for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pinchas Zukerman will conduct the East Coast portion of its U.S. tour that begins next month. Thierry Fischer will take over for several of the West Coast dates.