Philippe Jordan has extended his contract as Music Director of the Wiener Symphoniker until the end of the 2020-21 season. Jordan has been leading the traditional Viennese orchestra since the 2014-15 season. Under his artistic direction it has been able to consolidate and develop its reputation as a top international orchestra. Philippe Jordan is the 15th Chief Conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker, which has been led by such personalities as Ferdinand Löwe, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Georges Prêtre and Fabio Luisi since its foundation in 1900.

Philippe Jordan’s successes so far with the Wiener Symphoniker include a Schubert symphony cycle, warmly praised by press and public alike, a highly-respected Beethoven-Bartók project, combining Beethoven’s piano concertos with Bartók’s orchestral works, and performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s vocal works over several seasons. Among the artistic innovations since Jordan’s arrival are the establishment of annually-changing Artists in Residence, the recruitment of a circle of regularly-returning guest conductors, new subscription series such as “Fridays@7”, the expansion of the orchestra’s music education activities and a stronger presence for contemporary music.

Statements:

Johannes Neubert, Managing Director of the Wiener Symphoniker, commented: “Philippe Jordan is without doubt one of the best and most sought-after conductors in the music world today, and a significant factor in the enormously positive development of the Wiener Symphoniker over recent years. I’m sure this dynamic will now be continued over the next five years.”

Philippe Jordan: “The Wiener Symphoniker with its unique sound is truly close to my heart. I’m very proud to be part of its exceptional history, and I’m naturally also proud of what the orchestra and I have worked on and achieved together over the last few years. I’m extremely excited about our continued collaboration, and right now of course about our first Beethoven symphony cycle together, as well as the many other projects in the coming years.”