ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna Appoints New Chief Conductor

The German conductor Markus Poschner will assume the role as of the 2026/27 season

Markus Poschner’s first concerts as Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO) will be held on February 20, 2025, in works by Mathilde Wantenaar, Prokofiev, and Strauss at the Wiener Konzerthaus.

His first time conducting the RSO was in 2018 on the occasion of Gottfried von Einem’s 100th birthday anniversary with a performance of the composer’s An die Nachgeborenen at the Musikverein.

Poschner is currently Chief Conductor of the Bruckner Orchester Linz through 2026/27 and of the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana until the 2024/25 season.

Additionally, he is Chief Conductor Designate of Sinfonieorchester Basel and Music Director Designate of the Utah Symphony, where he will begin his tenures in the 2025/26 and 2027/28 seasons, respectively.

Poschner studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and worked as an assistant to Sir Roger Norrington and Sir Colin Davis. 

He has also served as Kapellmeister of the Komische Oper Berlin, and as the general music director of the Bremen Philharmonic Orchestra. As an educator, he is an honorary professor of the University of Bremen and of the Anton Bruckner Private University Linz. 

“I have felt very close to the RSO Vienna for many years, we have experienced unforgettable musical highlights together, toured, won important prizes and awards, and every time I am thrilled by the special quality, dedication, passion and artistry of this orchestra,” Poschner told Kronen Zeitung.  

“The RSO, with its rich and award-winning history, is a piece of Austria's personified homeland and identity, an orchestra for everyone, between tradition and modernity,” he added. “It enriches society and promotes dialog, togetherness, resonance and cultural diversity. I hope and trust that the political decision-makers are aware of the inestimable value of the RSO for Austria, indeed for the whole world, and I appeal to everyone to continue to stand up for this indispensable orchestra in the future. The RSO is a piece of Austria and Austria is a piece of the RSO!”