Esa-Pekka Salonen closes out 17 years as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with a final performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 19, 2009.
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Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts his final concert

Esa-Pekka Salonen closes out 17 years as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with a final performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 19, 2009.

Esa-Pekka Salonen closes out 17 years as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with a final performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 19, 2009. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A capacity crowd stood and cheered Salonen for 12 minutes. Salonen is the longest-serving conductor in the orchestra's 90-year history.

A capacity crowd stood and cheered Salonen for 12 minutes. Salonen is the longest-serving conductor in the orchestra’s 90-year history. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Salonen's final performance presented Igor Stravinsky's "Oedipus Rex" and "Symphony of Palms." "Oedipus Rex" was part of the first program Salonen conducted in 1989 after he was named music director, a position he took title of in 1992. After relocating to the United States in 1939, Stravinsky had a decades-long association with the orchestra.

Salonen’s final performance presented Igor Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” and “Symphony of Palms.” “Oedipus Rex” was part of the first program Salonen conducted in 1989 after he was named music director, a position he took title of in 1992. After relocating to the United States in 1939, Stravinsky had a decades-long association with the orchestra. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Rodrick Dixon as Oedipus and Anne Sofie von Otter as Jocasta.

Rodrick Dixon as Oedipus and Anne Sofie von Otter as Jocasta. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen takes bows with singers of the Stravinsky program.

Esa-Pekka Salonen takes bows with singers of the Stravinsky program. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

After the concert, members of the orchestra surrounded Salonen and enveloped him in embrace after embrace.

After the concert, members of the orchestra surrounded Salonen and enveloped him in embrace after embrace. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen did not address the audience, but he did bow and touch his hand over his heart repeatedly.

Esa-Pekka Salonen did not address the audience, but he did bow and touch his hand over his heart repeatedly. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen backstage before he enters for final bows after conducting his final performance as musical director.

Esa-Pekka Salonen backstage before he enters for final bows after conducting his final performance as musical director. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen enjoys a post-concert beverage.

Esa-Pekka Salonen enjoys a post-concert beverage. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen gets a hug backstage.

Esa-Pekka Salonen gets a hug backstage. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Esa-Pekka Salonen (right) walks backstage with director Peter Sellars after the show. Salonen's association with the orchestra isn't completely finished. L.A. Philharmonic Chairman David C. Bohnett announced from the stage that Salonen has been named the orchestra's first conductor laureate.

Esa-Pekka Salonen (right) walks backstage with director Peter Sellars after the show. Salonen’s association with the orchestra isn’t completely finished. L.A. Philharmonic Chairman David C. Bohnett announced from the stage that Salonen has been named the orchestra’s first conductor laureate. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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