The Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG has announced a five year contract extension with Music Director Paavo Järvi, who will now lead the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich until July 2029 at home in the recently renovated, iconic Tonhalle and on tour internationally.

“I am honoured and excited to continue my work with the wonderful musicians of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich” said Paavo Järvi. ​“I am very committed to the orchestra and its future, and feel privileged to work with such a great team, both on stage and behind the scenes.”

Since commencing his tenure as Music Director in 2019/20 for an initial contract of five years, Paavo Järvi has consistently pursued the goal of establishing the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich as one of the world’s leading orchestras through repertoire ranging from Messiaen and Tchaikovsky to Adams, Bruckner and Mendelssohn. 

In addition to the numerous acclaimed CD releases, there has been an increased investment in concert streaming during the first three years of Paavo Järvi’s tenure and the orchestra’s European residencies have been enthusiastically received. ​”Järvi’s Bruckner performances have their very own character” wrote the Hamburger Abendblatt of their recent Elbphilharmonie performances. ​“While listening, one breathes along with the musicians and the conductor, who needs very few gestures to achieve the desired results.” Bachtrack added ​”Sometimes at the end of a performance you are left thinking, ​“Yes, this is exactly the way the music should go.”

These themes will be continued and expanded on in the coming seasons together with the Conductor’s Academy which was founded in 2021, offering students daily masterclasses and public performances, as well as professional advice and contacts within the business.

Immediate upcoming highlights include the release of Bruckner Symphony No. 7 on Alpha Classics in January and a tour to Vienna Musikverein (29 January), Luxembourg Philharmonie (31 January), Paris Philharmonie (1 February) and Theatre Basel (2 February).