Gustavo Dudamel at the NY Philharmonic: why?

 I heard the news that Gustavo Dudamel would replace Jaap van Zweden at music director at the NY Phil on Sirius' Symphony Hall while on vacation.

First, I didn't realize van Zweden had voluntarily announced a year ago he would leave after the 2023-24 year.

Second? Dudamel? He may have won a Gustav Mahler conducting award in 2004, but I heard him doing Mahler on YouTube later than 2004, probably a full decade or more later, and was highly unimpressed. As part of that, I think he's still too young, raw and unseasoned in some ways.

Following Esa Pekka Salonen in LA, at an even younger age, not such a deal. And true, Alan Gilbert was the same age, but he was an NY Phil insider. (And his tenure was 2-3 years longer than van Zweden.)

Third, a two full years gap in the exchange of reins is ... interesting.