Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra appoints Julian Rachlin as chief conductor

Norway’s Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has announced the appointment of conductor and violinist Julian Rachlin to the role of chief conductor starting from the 23/24 season. Rachlin will succeed Nathalie Stutzmann, who has held the position since 2018.

The Lithuanian conductor has held the role of principal guest conductor with the orchestra since the 18/19 season. The orchestra will soon begin the search for a new principal guest conductor.

Pål Svendsberget, KSO’s director said: ‘This is a big day for Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. It’s a day we’ve been looking forward to, and we’re very proud to have Julian Rachlin in place as our new Chief Conductor. With his warmth and musical power, I know he will bring the orchestra forward.’

Born in Lithuania, Rachlin moved with his family to Vienna at the age of three, and studied at the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien, where he now serves as a faculty member and professor. He has enjoyed a career spanning over thirty years and founded the Julian Rachlin and Friends Foundation to help nurture emerging talent.

Formed in 2003 after a merger between the then Kristiansand Chamber Orchestra and the Norwegian Armed Forces District Music Corps Sørlandet, KSO is one of the world's youngest professional symphony orchestras. It now consists of 71 full-time musicians based at Kilden Performing Arts Centre in the city of Kristiansand.

Alongside his new position, Rachlin will continue in his current roles as principal guest conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Northern Sinfonia as well as his more recent appointment as the artistic director of the Herbstgold Festival in Eisenstadt.

Rachlin said: ‘I’m honoured and deeply moved by the trust the orchestra has placed in me following my five seasons as their Principal Guest Conductor. To be expanding the collaboration at this point is a testimony of our musical friendship and deep artistic connection. I can’t wait to continue our artistic journey together.’