Esa-Pekka Salonen: The maestro departs

The prodigious Finn learned a lot from this city. In return, the composer-conductor, about to depart the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has made this a music capital to be envied.

His final concerts linger over some of the key goals that he set during his 17 years leading the L.A. Philharmonic.

Artist Bill Viola, pianist Yefim Bronfman, orchestra executive Ernest Fleischmann and others reflect on L.A. Philharmonic’s music director.

Here are excerpts of Times reviews, culled from key performances during Esa-Pekka Salonen’s years leading the Phil: July 8, 1985 An oddball program performed with illuminating dash introduced the young Finnish conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, to Hollywood Bowl audiences at a preseason concert on Friday night.

Career retrospective: Esa-Pekka Salonen

Too flashy. Too cold. Too young. Many critics said Salonen would be a bad fit. But with his 17th and final season about to begin, the orchestra has international acclaim.