Duncan made his debut with the ensemble in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in the 19/20 season.
He previously served as Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva and Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Also an accomplished composer, Duncan was BBC Young Composer of the Year in 2005.
“I felt a natural connection with the orchestra from the first rehearsal, and was very excited by our musical exchange on one of the most notoriously demanding works in the repertoire - Debussy’s Jeux. I sensed that this was a palette of colours and a collection of open, curious musicians that I would love to get to know better.”
“The combination of know-how and skill, as well as charisma, are especially important when choosing a new chief conductor for philharmonie zuidnederland, aiming for a fruitful collaboration for years to come," the orchestra’s intendant Stefan Rosu said. "Duncan Ward is an excellent choice to guide the orchestra and shape it in the coming period."
