Rattle to Lead Berlin Philharmonic

BERLIN (AP) - Sir Simon Rattle will sign a long-awaited contract with the Berlin Philharmonic after the cash-strapped city reassured the British conductor about the funding and independence of the orchestra, its director said Saturday.

Rattle, who led the City of Birmingham (England) Symphony Orchestra to international fame, will sign the 10-year contract Sept. 12, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg said.

The 46-year-old's appointment to replace retiring conductor Claudio Abbado was announced two years ago. But his contract remained unsigned as Rattle pushed for higher pay for musicians to stop them leaving for other orchestras.

Rattle ``has very clear ideas about what is required, and the city government has done its homework,'' Ohnesorg said in telephone interview. ``The future of the Philharmonic with Rattle is now clear.''

Eager to establish itself as a world-class center of culture, Berlin in June readied a deal to ensure more money for the renowned orchestra once led by Herbert von Karajan. Lawmakers also agreed to turn it into an independent foundation next year.

Germany heavily subsidizes the arts, but Berlin has felt a budget pinch ever since theaters, museums and other cultural institutions once on the communist side of the Wall were added to the equation with German reunification in 1990.
This year, the Philharmonic is getting $11.7 million - half its budget - in taxpayer subsidies.