Switzerland’s Argovia Philharmonic Appoints Next Chief Conductor and Artistic Director

Josep Vicent will assume the role as of the 2025/26 season for an initial four-year term

The Argovia Philharmonic has appointed Spanish conductor Josep Vicent to the role of Chief Conductor and Music Director starting from September 2025 for four years. He will succeed Rune Bergmann, who has served in the role since 2020.

Vicent has performed with the Philharmonic in February 2023 in Rosenheim, Germany, and again in November 2024 for a concert series featuring Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique. 

Among the orchestras he has worked with include the London Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Mariinsky Theatre, Belgian National Orchestra, Spanish National Orchestra, Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and more. 

Since the 2015/16 season, Vicent has served as the Artistic and Musical Director of Auditorio de Diputación de Alicante and Chief Conductor of its Simfònica Alicante. 

Additionally, he has collaborated with artists such as Maria João Pires, the Labèque Sisters, Pinchas Zukerman, Anna Fedorova, Paquito D’Rivera, Miura, Ramón Vargas, and Iréne Theorin. 

“The Argovia Philharmonic and I have shared beautiful programs in the last months and I personally felt a strong connection with the orchestra,” Vicent said. “I feel that we have a lot in common artistically and I am very excited about the future plans. We are a great team on stage and this will enable us to build even stronger connections with audiences in Switzerland and beyond,” he continued. “I am deeply grateful and appreciative of the trust and support from the musicians and the orchestra’s leadership. It’s truly exciting!”

“A clear majority of the orchestra musicians support Josep Vicent’s nomination as the new Chief Conductor and Music Director, which was of paramount importance to the leadership team,” added Managing and Artistic Director Simon Müller. “He also won us over completely — not only with his two inspiring guest appearances and the tremendous success in Rosenheim, but also with his infectious and inspiring drive to take the orchestra to the next level in a collaborative way. Personally, I am thrilled to work with Josep on shaping plans for the future.”