Paavo Järvi to become next Chief Conductor & Artistic Advisor at London Philharmonic
By Bachtrack, 03 March 2026
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Paavo Järvihas been appointed to the newly-titled role of Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor. He will take up the position at the start of the 2028–29 season on an initial five-year contract.
Järvi succeeds Edward Gardner, who has held the title of Principal Conductor since 2021. Gardner’s initial five-year term was extended for a further two years until 2028, and the LPO has indicated that he will remain involved with the orchestra, though did not specify a role.
The announcement comes at a time when the LPO is beginning to look ahead to its centenary in 2032. “From the first time I heard Paavo Järvi perform in 2023, it was clear that he shared a remarkable musical connection with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I am immensely proud to announce this new partnership and excited to see it grow as we approach our 2032 centenary,” said David Burke, the LPO's Chief Executive.
Paavo Järvi is currently serving as Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Artistic Director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. He was the founder and Artistic Director of the Pärnu Music Festival and Estonian Festival Orchestra in his native Estonia.
Other directorships Järvi has held include orchestras in Malmö, Stockholm, Cincinnati, Frankfurt and Tokyo. Born in Estonia in 1962, his family – including his father Neeme and brother Kristjan, both conductors, and sister Maarika, a flautist – settled in the United States. “I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a privilege to work with an ensemble of such artistry and tradition, and I look forward to the music we will make together,” he said of his appointment.
https://bachtrack.com/news-paavo-jarvi-london-philharmonic-orchestra-march-2026
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