Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Names New Chief Conductor

The Spanish conductor Josep Pons will step into the role for the 2025/26 season

The Deutsche Radio Philharmonie has announced that the Spanish conductor Josep Pons will be its new Chief Conductor, and will step into the position at the opening of the 2025/26 season. He succeeds the Finnish conductor Pietari Inkinen, whose contract comes to a close.

Pons has been associated with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie (previously known as the Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra) in a guest conducting capacity since 2006. Highlights of his appearances with the orchestra include the 2017 Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival in Warsaw, as well as concerts with violinist Frank-Peter Zimmermann in Mannheim and Saarbrücken (2018 and 2011).

The musical director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona, he also holds the position of honorary conductor of Orquesta Nacional de España. Pons is regarded by many as the leading Spanish conductor of his generation.

"Josep Pons has already worked as a conductor with many world-class orchestras — the fact that he has now decided to take over the direction of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie makes us proud and shows the outstanding quality of this orchestra," said Kai Gniffke, the Director-General of Südwestrundfunk. "With his strong artistic signature, he will continue to develop the DRP in the coming years. The audience can look forward to many exciting and delightful concert moments."

"Josep Pons, a great musician with an international reputation, is taking over the helm of the DRP," said Maria Grätzel, the Orchestra Manager. "He is a personality with a strong creative drive. A central concern of his is to make thematic references transparent in his programs and to focus on one distinctive theme each season. He addresses the relevant issues of our time as well as the changing habits both of and in concerts.

"He attaches particular importance to raising the awareness and enthusiasm of children and young people for and through music. I look forward to working with him with great pleasure!"