Classical Music News

Christian Reif Named as New Chief Conductor of Sweden's Gävle Symphony Orchestra

April 20, 2023

2 MIN READ

The German conductor will succeed Jaime Martín beginning in May 2023

33-year-old German conductor Christian Reif's first concert as acting chief conductor of the Gävle Symphony Orchestra will take place at the end of the season on May 11 — with Berwald's Bayaderenfest, Clara Schumann's Piano Concert with Alexandra Dariescu and Mozart's Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter."

He assumes his post of conducting the season premiere on September 15, 2023. On the program is Borodin's Symphony No. 2, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concert No. 2 with Lucas Debargue, and the world premiere of Lil Lacy's Aurora, commissioned by Gävle Symphony Orchestra.

"Right from the first week of our making music together in December 2021, we made an immediate connection and everything felt natural," said Reif of his collaboration with the ensemble.

"How thrilling to now be named the next Chief Conductor of Gävle Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble that serves such a warm and supportive community. The flexibility and ability to take musical risks is something I have always enjoyed with this orchestra, and the musicians have inspired me in return. I can’t wait to meet more of the audience members and explore the city and its surroundings!"

A graduate of the Mozarteum Salzburg and the Juilliard School in New York, Reif is presently the Music Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota — a month-long summer festival committed to commissioning new works and to giving free concerts for the community.

Reif previously held conducting fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center and at the New World Symphony. From 2016 to 2019, he was the Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

He has appeared with the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Houston, Stavanger, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Hallé Orchestra, among others.

In the summer of 2023, he will lead concerts at the Enescu Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen.

"I believe I speak for everyone by saying that we are very excited for the new chapter of Gävle Symphony Orchestra’s future together with Christian Reif," said Rosa Nolcheva, the orchestra's Director of Programming and Artistic Planning.

"His natural musicality, passion, easy-going manner, obvious joy when performing, as well as his eagerness to explore the Swedish and contemporary music scene make us incredibly enthusiastic on what lies ahead."