Edward Gardner named Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Gardner will assume the position for the 2021-22 season, taking over from Vladimir Jurowski who has been in the role since 2007.

Gardner studied at the Academy and was appointed as the first Sir Charles Mackerras Chair of Conducting in 2014. Since then, he has conducted numerous concerts with the Academy Symphony Orchestra including, most recently, at Snape Maltings and the BBC Proms in a joint project with The Juilliard School, New York.

Gardner returns to the Academy on 4 October to conduct the Symphony Orchestra in a programme of Bartók, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.

The Academy’s Principal, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, said: ‘We are immensely proud that our distinguished Sir Charles Mackerras Chair of Conducting and alumnus Edward Gardner is the new Principal Conductor of one of the world’s great orchestras, and that it’s been announced just 72 hours after our wonderful BBC Prom with the Juilliard. Congratulations!’

The Academy extends its warmest congratulations to Edward and we look forward to future projects and collaborations.