Berlin Philharmonic preparing to elect new chief conductor in secret vote

It's a secret process so steeped in tradition, that it's often compared to the selection of the Pope. But there will be no white puffs of smoke when the Berlin Philharmonic conclave elects its new chief conductor on Monday.

CBC Radio · Posted: May 08, 2015 5:30 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 8, 2015

Conductor Simon Rattle is to swap Berlin for Britain, taking over as music director of the London Symphony Orchestra. Rattle, who has led the Berlin Philharmonic since 2002, will join the London ensemble in September 2017. (The Associated Press)

As It Happens7:00Berlin Philharmonic preparing to elect new chief conductor

It's a secret process so steeped in tradition, that it's often compared to the selection of the Pope.

But unlike that ceremony, there will be no white puffs of smoke when the Berlin Philharmonic conclave elects its new chief conductor on Monday.

"The Berlin Philharmonic is self-governing from artistic decisions to financial and administrative," explains Rick Phillips, a musical tour guide and radio host for the former CBC program Sound Advice, to As It Happens host Carol Off.

All 124 members of the orchestra will choose from a pool of conductors from around the world to replace Simon Rattle, who announced in March that he is leaving for the London Symphony Orchestra in 2017.

"Part of it is tradition and part of it is that it works better for them," he says of the unique selection process. "[Orchestra members] feel a part of the organization, rather than employee of the organization. They have a real commitment to the orchestra."

There will be a secret location, the musicians will be asked to leave their cell phones outside the meeting, and they'll vote by secret ballot.

Bear in mind that the Berlin Philharmonic is only selecting whom it will offer the position to — it does not accept applications. And if their candidate refuses the job, the selection process begins all over again.

Here are the front runners according to Phillips:

Andris Nelsons

Born: November 18, 1978; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

"Very talented. Young, exciting, thrilling. That would bring a whole new dimension to the Berlin Philharmonic. Youth."

Gustavo Dudamel

Born: January 26, 1981; music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, honorary conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

"Young... He's very well established in L.A."

Mariss Jansons

Born: January 14, 1943; music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

"His health is somewhat questionable, he's had some heart condition problems. So you wonder whether it's a good idea to [select him], as talented as he is."

Daniel Barenboim

Born: November 15, 1942; music director of La Scala in Milan, the Berlin State Opera, and the Staatskapelle Berlin

"He has [already] said no to the job, and... will decline it [if offered]."

Christian Thielemann

Born: April 1, 1959; chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden.

"He would have a certain cache being a Berliner himself and German, but he's been known to be somewhat difficult with management and dealing with people. There's some questions about his repertoire and his interpretations. They're a little bit off the wall sometimes."