Franz Xaver Ohnesorg is leaving the Head post

BERLIN, Germany (Classical News Website) - The director of the Berlin Philharmonic, Franz Xaver Ohnesorg, is leaving the post after a little more than a year, citing personal reasons.

Ohnesorg, who took over at Berlin's most prominent orchestra in September 2001 after two years in charge of New York's Carnegie Hall, will depart Jan. 1, according to a statement released Tuesday night. His move comes just a month after Sir Simon Rattle was named the orchestra's chief conductor and artistic director.

The orchestra'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.''

Ohnesorg, a former director of the Cologne Philharmonic, agreed to remain as an adviser to the orchestra and Rattle for the remainder of the director's contract, until August 2006.
The orchestra did not say who would replace Ohnesorg.