The Kansas City Symphony has announced the appointment of German-born conductor-composer Matthias Pintscher as its fifth Music Director.

Currently, the Music Director of Ensemble Intercontemporain, the world’s foremost contemporary music ensemble, Pintscher will succeed Michael Stern in fall 2024, for an initial term of five seasons.

The orchestra noted that the appointment concludes a two-year search that saw the orchestra consider a multitude of guest conductors for the post.

Pintscher made his KCS debut this past March and was offered the post just days after his first appearance with the orchestra, because of the powerful, galvanic connection that sparked between them.

In a statement, Danny Beckley, President & CEO of the Kansas City Symphony said, “The Kansas City Symphony first saw Matthias Pintscher on the podium on a Wednesday. The following Monday, I called to ask him to be our next Music Director! That’s how electric their rapport was from the first. We are committed to making orchestral music more appealing to a far wider audience, and I think Matthias can really help make that happen. The audiences attracted to his concerts were already the most diverse I’ve seen, with respect to age, race and degree of familiarity with classical music.” 

On his behalf, Pintscher added, “Many friends told me beforehand how much I would enjoy meeting and working with the Kansas City Symphony. But in March, when I first met the orchestra, we had much more than just a good time! There was an immediate connection between us. I felt a sense of homecoming when I recognized some of the musicians as alums of the New World Symphony, which I regularly conduct. And it wasn’t just that. Right from the start, the Kansas City Symphony and I shared an extraordinary level of trust and joy in music-making. Their playing was inspired, which I found immensely inspiring in turn. I felt truly welcome: welcome as the musician I am.”