Esa-Pekka Salonen named composer in residence at New York Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen has been named composer in residence at the New York Philharmonic, the orchestra announced Wednesday. Salonen, the former music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will hold the title for the next three years.

In his new position, Salonen will have a number of responsibilities, though he won’t be conducting any of his own work. He is expected to lead the orchestra in a number of pieces by familiar classical and contemporary composers over the next three seasons.

The orchestra will perform a number of Salonen’s works, including his recent “Karawane,” which premiered in September in Zurich, Switzerland. The piece -- which is for orchestra and chorus and is based on a text by Dada writer Hugo Ball -- was co-commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, along with a few other organizations.

It will also perform his “L.A. Variations” and the world premiere of a Salonen piece whose title will be announced later.

Salonen stepped down as music director of the L.A. Philharmonic in 2009 after 17 years. In addition to conducting, he has devoted significant time to composing, and even starred in an Apple iPad commercial that began airing last year that featured his Violin Concerto.

The New York Philharmonic said that Salonen’s residency officially opens in the fall of this year. Composers who have recently held the title of composer in residence at the New York Philharmonic include Christopher Rouse and Magnus Lindberg.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT