The European Union Youth Orchestra has announced Iván Fischer as the Orchestra’s new Music Director, with immediate effect.

Fischer will continue to serve as Music Director of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, as the Honorary Guest Conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and as Ehrendirigent of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.

As Music Director Fischer takes place in the Orchestra’s home and annual summer residency in Grafenegg during August 2024, followed by a tour to New York as part of Carnegie Hall’s WOW! Festival, and to the Orchestra’s annual concerts in Bolzano as part of the Bolzano Festival Bozen.

In his position, Fischer will be involved in the planning of the Orchestra’s auditions, artistic training, and performances, working with the EUYO’s Executive and Artistic Director.

Fischer’s appointment comes at the end of current EUYO Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko’s ten-year tenure as the EUYO’s Chief Conductor, during which time he has overseen an increasing development in the Orchestra’s standards and performances.

In a statement, Fischer said, “I trust the new generation, they will change the world. The first step is to apply to the EUYO. We start the rest this August.”