Anja Bihlmaier has been appointed principal guest conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, starting September 2024.
She joins Finnish conductor John Storgårds, who has served as the orchestra's chief conductor since November 2022, and Anna Clyne, the orchestra's composer in association.
'I am thrilled to join the BBC Philharmonic team as principal guest conductor, alongside such a respected colleague as John Storgårds,' said Bihlmaier. 'From our first concert at Bridgewater Hall, playing Shostakovich and Dvořák, I felt a special bond and mutual trust with the musicians. I love their dedication, their virtuosity and willingness to experiment, their sense of humour and most importantly their great passion for the music, and how they bring it to life for their audience.'
Anja Bihlmaier has been chief conductor of the Residentie Orkest since August 2021. Following her BBC Proms debut in 2023, the German conductor returns in 2024 with the BBC Philharmonic on Thursday 8 August in a programme of Beethoven, Brahms and Sarah Gibson (Prom 26). She will also conduct Glyndebourne’s production of Carmen on Thursday 29 August.
Founded in 1922 as the 2ZY Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra today presents a flagship series at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall as well as live concerts recorded in venues across the country, at the BBC Proms, and on tour.
Alongside Prom 26 of Beethoven, Brahms and Sarah Gibson, the BBC Philharmonic will perform Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony conducted by John Storgårds on the 7 August (Prom 25).