Seoul Philharmonic Appoints New York Philharmonic Chief Jaap van Zweden as Next Music Director

Successor to Director Osmo V?nsk?, 5-Year Term Starting January 2024
'Orchestra Trainer' Who Elevated Skills at Hong Kong Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic
Expecting Seoul Philharmonic's Global Leap

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (hereinafter Seoul Phil) announced on the 4th that it has appointed Jaap van Zweden, music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (61), as its next music director. Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (hereinafter referred to as the Seoul Philharmonic) announced on the 4th that it has appointed Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (61), as its next Music Director.

Van Zweden was appointed as the successor to Osmo V?nsk?, whose term expires this year, and will lead the Seoul Philharmonic for five years starting January 2024.

At the age of 19, Van Zweden was appointed the youngest concertmaster of the world-class orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) of the Netherlands, a position he held for 17 years. After beginning his career as a conductor, he led the Dallas Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic, rapidly elevating their performance levels to the highest standards and earning a reputation as an "orchestra trainer."

Additionally, since 2018, he has served as Music Director of the world-renowned New York Philharmonic. In 2024, with him leading both the Seoul Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic simultaneously, close cooperation between the two orchestras is also highly anticipated.

The Seoul Philharmonic will operate throughout 2023 with guest conductors while the Music Director position remains vacant. After his term ends, Director V?nsk? plans to appear as a guest conductor with the Seoul Philharmonic three times next year.

Son Eunkyung, CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic, said, "We put considerable effort into inviting a highly reputable Music Director capable of elevating the orchestra to the world’s top level during the selection process. After contacting numerous world-class conductors through the Music Director Recommendation Committee from the beginning of the year, we succeeded in persuading Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. We hope that the Seoul Philharmonic will establish itself as a world-class orchestra going forward."