Conductor Leo McFall Extends Contract at Austria's Vorarlberg Symphony

McFall has signed a new contract early and will remain the orchestra's Chief Conductor until 2030

The British conductor Leo McFall has extended his contract at the Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra (VSO) until the close of the 2029/30 season. He has held the post since the 2020/21 season.

Alongside his position in Vorarlberg, McFall is also Principal Conductor of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and is closely associated with the Alma Mahler Kammerorchester — an ensemble comprising top young players from European orchestras.

As a guest conductor, McFall has recently appeared with the BBC Philharmonic, the Hanover Band, Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Dortmund Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, Oulu Sinfonia, and Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, among others.

In 2021, McFall's recording of Emilie Mayer’s early symphonies won the Opus Klassik award for best recording of eighteenth-century symphonic music and was featured in the New York Times's Best Classical Recordings of 2020 list.

Originally a pianist and violist, McFall studied conducting at the Sibelius Academy and with Johannes Schlaefli at the Zürich Hochschule der Kunst. He was awarded the Deutsche Dirigentenpreis (German Conducting Prize) in 2015 and was a finalist in the Salzburg/Nestle Conducting Award for 2014.

McFall has worked as the assistant to Bernard Haitink in projects with the Royal Concertgebouw, Chicago Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

"I am very happy that my work with SOV will continue," McFall said. "I love working with them, their enthusiasm and openness is very inspiring for me, and I feel we have a special chemistry on stage together."

The contract extension is a "true stroke of luck," said orchestra representative Andreas Schuchter. "Leo's professional and calm way of working, combined with his ability to both challenge and encourage us, is highly valued by the entire orchestra."

Fellow player Guy Speyers noted that credit was due to McFall for "remaining loyal to the SOV despite his numerous commitments and leadership positions."

"The continuation stands for continuity and artistic growth. We look forward to many more concert moments together."