Paavo Järvi to Succeed Edward Gardner at Helm of London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Paavo Järvi will take over as chief conductor from the 2028/29 season, succeeding Edward Gardner upon the conclusion of his current contract. This significant appointment marks a new chapter for one of the UK's most historic orchestras.
A Musical Dynasty and Storied Career
Born in Estonia into a renowned musical family, Paavo Järvi, 63, follows in the footsteps of his father Neeme and brother Kristjan, both conductors. After relocating to the United States in 1980, Järvi honed his craft at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and under the mentorship of Leonard Bernstein at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute.
Over his illustrious career, Järvi has led numerous prestigious orchestras worldwide, including the Malmö Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, NHK Symphony in Tokyo, and the Orchestre de Paris, where he served as music director from 2010 to 2016. He has been the artistic director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen for over two decades and founded the Pärnu Music Festival and its resident Estonian Festival Orchestra in 2011. Since 2019, he has also held the position of chief conductor at the Tonhalle-Orchester in Zurich.
Chemistry Confirmed and Future Plans
Järvi, a frequent visitor to the UK as a guest conductor with orchestras like the Philharmonia and the LPO, cited a New Year 2025 tour to China with the LPO as a pivotal moment that solidified their artistic connection. "When I first conducted the LPO, it was immediately obvious that we matched well, that there was energy," he remarked. "I usually try not to work during Christmas and New Year, but when they asked me to conduct them on the tour, I accepted because I understood this was something very special."
Having grown up listening to recordings of the LPO, Järvi expressed deep admiration for the orchestra's legacy. "They've been famous in our house since I was a child," he said. With a home in London for 30 years, alongside bases in the US and Estonia, he looks forward to immersing himself in the UK's vibrant classical music scene, which he describes as "unlike anywhere else in the world."
Addressing the challenges of audience engagement in classical music, Järvi emphasized the need for advocacy and innovation. "We are all missionaries for our art form; more than ever it is in need of strong advocacy and exposure," he stated. He has previously collaborated with DJs, rock musicians, and hosted midnight concerts to broaden appeal, but stressed that such initiatives must not compromise the music's integrity. "But people generally don't grow up listening to classical music, our job is to find ways to bring it closer to the surface," he added.
While specific programming details with the LPO remain under wraps, Järvi plans to highlight Estonian music, both contemporary and traditional, as well as British compositions. "I commission four or five pieces a year from Estonian composers ... we will certainly be programming Estonian music, new and old. But also British music – there's such a lively and important new music scene in the UK that there will be plenty of choice," he explained.
Transition and Legacy
Edward Gardner, who has served as principal conductor since 2021, praised the LPO's versatility and adaptability. "I've never met an orchestra who can assimilate such a variety of styles," he said. "The LPO have an ability to turn corners with completely different repertoire, from Mozart to modern with everything in between, and always with such openness and friendliness."
Gardner, who still has over two years left in his tenure, highlighted upcoming projects, including a semi-staged production of Wozzeck in April as part of the Southbank's Multitudes festival. He decided to announce his departure early to ensure a smooth transition. "It's strange to be talking about [my departure] so far in advance, but we wanted to make the announcement now so the wonderful musicians of the LPO know that they have a musician of the quality of Paavo coming for the next era," he noted.
Currently preparing a Ring Cycle with the Norwegian National Opera, where he is music director, Gardner cited a bottleneck of projects as a reason for stepping down. "I felt there was a bottleneck of projects coming up and it just wouldn't be fair for an orchestra of the stature and brilliance of the LPO not to have my full commitment," he explained.
About the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1932, the London Philharmonic Orchestra is a cornerstone of the UK's cultural landscape. As one of the resident orchestras at London's Southbank Centre, it also serves as the resident symphony orchestra for the Glyndebourne Festival since 1964. The orchestra performs across various venues in Brighton, Eastbourne, and Saffron Walden, in addition to international tours.
Audiences will have an early opportunity to witness Järvi's chemistry with the LPO on Wednesday, 4 March, when he conducts a programme featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius at the Royal Festival Hall.
