Franz Xaver Ohnesorg Resigns as Director of Berlin Philharmonic

BERLIN, 9 October 2002 - Citing personal reasons, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg has resigned from his post as intendant or director of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Ohnesorg, 54, and a native of Bavaria, took over at Germany's most prestigious orchestra in September 2001 after two stormy years in charge of New York's Carnegie Hall. He will leave on 1 January 2003, according to a statement released Tuesday night.

The orchestra management's statement did not elaborate on the reasons for the resignation, saying only that "the other members of the board of directors are aware of and endorse the reasons named by Mr. Ohnesorg, and respect and accept his wish."

However, it added that Ohnesorg, a former and highly esteemed director of the Cologne Philharmonic, agreed to remain as an adviser to the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle for the remainder of the director's contract, until 31 August 2006.