Martyn Brabbins to join Malmö Symphony Orchestra as chief conductor

Malmö Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has today announced the appointment of British conductor Martyn Brabbins to the role of chief conductor. Beginning his tenure in the 2025-26 season, Brabbins succeeds Robert Treviño, who stepped down from the role of chief conductor in 2021 to take up the position of artistic advisor with the orchestra.

Brabbins joins the MSO following his resignation from the role of music director with English National Opera in 2023 in protest against proposed cuts to the company’s orchestra. His new position builds on his long-standing relationship with the Swedish orchestra which most recently saw Brabbins replace Sir Andrew Davis at short notice following the conductor’s death in April.

Erik Mikael Karlsson, CEO and artistic director of Malmö Live Konserthus, said: ‘Martyn is a hugely experienced conductor with an international reputation and has been a leading figure in British musical life for decades. He has a clear artistic profile, a modern and inclusive leadership that fits like a glove with the concert hall I want to create – a dynamic, international concert hall with strong local roots that embraces musical breadth, teamwork and artistic quality at the highest level.’

Set to join the (MSO) as it celebrates its centenary in 2025, Brabbins brings with him broad experience gained across a successful career lasting over three decades. As well as enjoying enduring popularity at the annual BBC proms his varied guest conducting engagements have led him to work with orchestras across the world including the Royal Concertgebouw, San Francisco Symphony, DSO Berlin and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra of India and leading UK orchestras such as the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony. His many accolades include the 2023 RPS Conductor Award for his contribution to musical life in the UK.

Brabbins said: ‘It is a great honour to be asked to be the next chief conductor of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra. My experiences with the orchestra in recent years have been inspiring and musically fulfilling. There is a dedication across the whole organisation to achieving the highest musical results, and their wonderful home, Malmö Live, is a concert hall of the finest quality. I look forward with enormous excitement to making music again with the musicians, and together building on the 100-year tradition of the orchestra, as we forge stronger links with the City of Malmö.’