Russian Kirill Petrenko Announced New Chief Conductor of Berlin Philharmonic

43 year old Russian conductor Kirill Petrenko has been announced as the new Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – effective from August 2018.

Petrenko, who currently serves as Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera, will replace Sir Simon Rattle who announced in March of this year he is set to step down to become Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.

SCRIABIN | LE POEME DE L'EXTASE | KIRRIL PETRENKO | BERLIN PHILHARMONIC

‘Words cannot express my feelings – everything from euphoria and great joy to awe and disbelief,’ Petrenko has said, ‘... I am aware of the responsibility and high expectations of me, and I will do everything in my power to be a worthy conductor of this outstanding orchestra.”

"We are extremely pleased that Kirill Petrenko has accepted his election as chief conductor designate of our orchestra. We look forward to our musical future together with great confidence," Orchestra Board members Ulrich Knorzer and Peter Riegelbauer have said.