Stéphane has extended his contract as Music Director of the Brussels Philharmonic for a further three seasons from 2019 until 2022. Building on the success of the partnership since Stéphane took up the position 2015, he and the Brusssels Philharmonic will continue their ambitious programme of touring, recording, and further developing their initiative to promote 21st-century music, the Centre for Future Orchestral Repertoire.

Presented earlier this week with the Klara Classical Music Award for Music Personality of the Year, Stéphane’s achievements with the Brussels Philharmonic have included a multi-award-winning series of recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, and critically acclaimed tours to Japan, Austria, Spain and the UK in partnership with the touring division of IMG Artists. In Belgium, in addition to their regular concert series at Flagey and Bozar, Stéphane and the Brussels Philharmonic were given the honour in 2017 of being invited to perform for the finals of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for the first time in the orchestra’s history.

Speaking about the contract extension, Stéphane said:

“I would like to thank all the musicians and the administrative team of the Brussels Philharmonic for three inspiring, innovative and warm-hearted years so far since I became their Music Director in 2015. I feel that our whole institution, led so brilliantly by Gunther Broucke, is on an ambitious upward journey, and therefore it feels extremely natural to me to extend my tenure and continue our musical adventure together. I believe that our partnership, creating a distinctive sound and spirit thanks to the special qualities of this city and its people, and the focus on 21st-century repertoire through our CffOR initiative, will lead to the ever greater success of our very modern orchestra. I am thrilled to be a part of the Brussels Philharmonic’s exciting future!”

Gunther Broucke, Intendant of the Brussels Philharmonic, said:

“Together with Stéphane Denève, the Brussels Philharmonic has embarked on a remarkable journey. With his creative energy and engagement, Stéphane has won over the orchestra and our audience alike, with one of the many highlights being our debut at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2017. The future holds tours to Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, but most importantly the continuation of our joint mission to refresh the orchestral repertoire with 21st century music, at the same time as we celebrate the great works of the past. In Stéphane we have a world class Music Director, who enhances the orchestra’s passion and vision with his broad experience, network and personality. Together we will continue to focus on building an orchestra for the future.”

Harold Clarkson, Senior Vice President & Director, IMG Artists Touring, adds:

“IMG Artists has taken great pleasure in assisting with the development of the Brussels Philharmonic’s international reputation since Stéphane Denève began his tenure as Music Director. Tours to Japan and major European centres under his leadership have firmly established the orchestra on the international scene, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with a series of ambitious touring projects in the coming seasons.”

Recognised internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances and programming, Stéphane regularly appears at major concert venues with the world’s greatest orchestras and soloists. He is a three-time winner of the Diapason d’Or of the Year, has been shortlisted for Gramophone’s Artist of the Year Award, and has won the prize for symphonic music at the International Classical Music Awards. In addition to serving as Music Director of the Brussels Philharmonic, he is Music Director Designate of the St. Louis Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra. He previously held positions as Chief Conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR), and as Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Read more: http://www.brusselsphilharmonic.be/en/news/detail/brussels-phiharmonic-en-muziekdirecteur-stephane-deneve-verlengen-contract-tot-seizoen-20212022/