Spain's Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León Appoints New Music Director

The ensemble, based in Valladolid, Spain, announced the appointment of Thierry Fischer as Music Director

Fischer's contract will start in September 2022 for an initial three seasons and with the possibility of extending for a further two seasons. He will keep his positions as Music Director of the Sao Paulo Symphony — and of the Utah Symphony until Summer 2023 when he becomes Emeritus after 14 years in the role.

In Valladolid, Fischer has led the ensemble twice last season. His upcoming season will feature concerts with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes as their 22/23 Artist-in-Residence. Performances will also include a world premiere by Guy Barker written for the orchestra, and repertoire ranging from Haydn to Mahler, Bruckner, Stravinsky, and Florence Price.

"Joining the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León as Music Director in the 2022-23 season fills me with great joy," Fischer said. "We will work together for very contrasting programmes during my first season in my new role. Working on the many different musical aspects of this wide repertoire will help us shape a new sound together, with the goal of taking the artistic proficiency of the orchestra to the next level. I cannot wait to start this beautiful and exciting journey together and I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful group of people and artists."

Two Conductors-in-Association will also join Fischer in Spain. Vasily Petrenko will serve from 2022-2023 and Elim Chan from 2023-24). The orchestra will also launch a new national conducting competition in collaboration with Jeunesses Musicales Spain with the aim of creating the role of Assistant Conductor.