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.
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