Serbian violinist has accepted teaching post in Germany and maintains artistic directorship of Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

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©Ronald Knapp

Gordan Nikolitch (Nikolić) played his last concert as leader of the London Symphony Orchestra on 23 October in Madrid, under conductor Bernard Haitink.

Nikolitch, born in Brus, Serbia in 1968, joined the LSO as leader 1997. He has directed orchestras extensively, both from the leader’s chair or as conductor, and since 2005 has been artistic leader and concertmaster of the Nederlands Kamerorkest in Amsterdam. He also performs internationally as a soloist, including giving the premiere of James MacMillan’s Violin Concerto Deep But Dazzling Darkness with the LSO in 2003.

Nikolitch has accepted a teaching post in Saarbrücken, Germany, and will be keeping his position in Amsterdam.

‘The past 19 years have been a period of great artistic strength for the LSO and Gordan has been a hugely successful and well-loved Leader in that time,’ Kathryn McDowell, the LSO’s managing director, told The Strad.

‘He will be missed at the front of the orchestra by our audiences as well as his close colleagues and friends in the Orchestra and we wish him every success in his new position. We also look forward to welcoming Gordan back as a guest performer with the orchestra.’

Nikolitch shared the leader role with Roman Simovic, who remains in position. The orchestra has begun the process of recruiting a new joint leader.

Video: Gordan Nikolitch plays the violin solo in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis