Paavo Järvi announced to succeed Edward Gardner at the helm of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from the 2028/29 season

Tue 3 Mar, 2026

Paavo Järvi has been appointed Chief Conductor & Artistic Advisor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. One of the most respected and sought-after conductors of his generation, Järvi succeeds current Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, assuming the role at the start of the 2028/29 season. With an initial five-year contract, Järvi’s appointment marks an important new chapter for the Orchestra, as it approaches its 2032 centenary.

Grammy Award-winning conductor Paavo Järvi is renowned for his compelling interpretations of the symphonic repertoire and his advocacy for new music. He brings to the podium a leadership style defined by distinctive musical insight and a deep commitment to orchestral excellence. Equally central to both Järvi and the London Philharmonic Orchestra is a shared dedication to nurturing the next generation, a commitment embodied in the Orchestra’s industry-leading talent development programmes.

This season Järvi leads the Orchestra in performances of Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Alexandre Kantorow at London’s Royal Festival Hall (4 March), followed by concerts in Budapest and Athens (5 and 7 March) – offering audiences an early glimpse of the artistic partnership that will shape the Orchestra’s future.

Following seven seasons of ambitious programming, major international tours and award-winning recordings, Edward Gardner will conclude his tenure as Principal Conductor at the end of the 2027/28 season. During his time with the LPO, Gardner has shaped a distinctive artistic profile, combining core symphonic repertoire with bold explorations of 20th-century and contemporary music. Landmark performances have included Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder and an immersive presentation of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, alongside extensive engagement with Elgar’s symphonic works. His programming has placed British repertoire within a broad international context, integrating contemporary compositions into the full season and leading large-scale projects.

This spring, Gardner leads the LPO in an eclectic programme of works by Turnage, Bartók and Mussorgsky (1 April), followed by a semi-staged performance of Berg’s Wozzeck (25 April).

David Burke, Chief Executive of the London Philharmonic Orchestra:
‘From the first time I heard Paavo Järvi perform in 2023, it was clear that he shared a remarkable musical connection with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I am immensely proud to announce this new partnership and excited to see it grow as we approach our 2032 centenary. I am also delighted that Edward Gardner will remain an integral part of this journey. His tenure continues to define a period of extraordinary growth and, with two further seasons already planned, we look forward to continuing our inspiring collaboration for many years to come.’

Jesús Herrera, Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra:
‘We are thrilled to welcome Paavo Järvi to the LPO family. He is a remarkable Maestro whose artistic brilliance and deep humanity perfectly embody our orchestra’s values. I would also like to thank Edward Gardner for his exceptional work and musical inspiration. With the Orchestra’s distinguished history of exceptional artistic leadership, we are proud to carry that legacy forward through our future plans with both Ed and Paavo.’

Edward Gardner:
‘It has been an immense privilege to serve as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Over these seasons we have explored extraordinary repertoire together and built projects of which I am deeply proud. With two and a half years still ahead of us, I look forward to continuing that journey with the musicians and audiences who make this orchestra so remarkable.’

Paavo Järvi: 
‘I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Conductor & Artistic Advisor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a privilege to work with an ensemble of such artistry and tradition, and I look forward to the music we will make together.’

 

About Paavo Järvi

Paavo Järvi is widely recognised as one of today’s most eminent conductors, enjoying close partnerships with the finest orchestras around the world. He currently serves as Music Director of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Artistic Director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and is both the founder and Artistic Director of the Pärnu Music Festival and Estonian Festival Orchestra.

In addition to his permanent positions, Järvi is much in demand as a guest conductor, regularly appearing with the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. He also continues to enjoy close relationships with many of the orchestras of which he was previously Music Director, including the Orchestre de Paris, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Paavo Järvi studied Percussion and Conducting at the Tallinn School of Music. In 1980, he moved to the USA, where he continued his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute with Leonard Bernstein. He has received numerous international honours, including the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the Sibelius Medal, the Hindemith Prize, and Estonia’s Order of the White Star.