Houston Symphony has announced that internationally-acclaimed conductor Juraj Valčuha has been named as its next music director.

Succeeding Andres Orozco-Estrada, the post has been held in the past by figures such as Leopold Stokowski, Andre Previn, and Christoph Eschenbach. Valčuha will begin his tenure at the start of HS’s 2022-23 season, and will be the fifth to hold the position. He made his debut with the company as a guest conductor in 2011, and returned during their 17-18 and 20-21 seasons.

“We are thrilled to announce Juraj Valčuha as our next artistic leader,” said John Mangum, Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO, in a press release. “During our search for a new Music Director, we were fortunate to narrow our selection to a superb group of individuals. An incredibly accomplished conductor with precise attention to detail, Juraj stood out for his evident chemistry with Symphony musicians and his commitment to musical excellence. We know that he will build upon the work of the Music Directors before him to support the highest level of performance imaginable for our musicians. I look forward to welcoming him back to the Jones Hall stage.”

Valčuha is set to perform with HS to lead their orchestra in Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” to conclude their 2021-22 season. His first official appearance as Music Director will come on September 17, 2022, and he will return for nine weeks of their 2022-23 season.