Four conductors, one story
Season 26/27 will look a little different, and that is a deliberate choice. This season the orchestra has no chief conductor at its head. Instead, four conductors, each with their own role and their own voice, write the story of the season together with us. Four conductors with whom we have built a bond over the years, each connected to the orchestra in their own way.
Michael Schønwandt – Principal Guest Conductor
As Principal Guest Conductor, Michael Schønwandt is the steady, familiar presence in our programming. His relationship with the orchestra goes back several seasons, and 26/27 is the final season of that multi-year commitment. All the more reason to make it something special together. Meet him:
- on 27 and 29 November for Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony
- on 25 February (Symphonic Date) and on 26 & 27 February with Pavel Kolesnikov
- on 27 May (Symphonic Date) and on 28 May with Julian Steckel
"Every concert with the BNO is a unique experience for me, and I am particularly excited to perform three revolutionary symphonic masterpieces: Beethoven’s Eroica, Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. Join us!" – Michael Schønwandt
Antony Hermus – Conductor Laureate
Antony Hermus remains connected to us this season as Conductor Laureate. After four years of inspiring collaboration as chief conductor, this is a warm continuation of a bond that grew over that time: a tribute and a reunion, for one season. See him:
"The Belgian National Orchestra will always hold a special place in my heart. As Conductor Laureate, it doesn’t feel like a return to me, but rather the next chapter in the extraordinary story we are writing together. I look forward to making music again with these fantastic musicians and sharing special moments with our audience." – Antony Hermus
Matthew Halls – Artistic Partner
Matthew Halls takes on the role of Artistic Partner for 26/27. Across a handful of carefully chosen programmes, he helps shape the direction the orchestra wants to take. Each concert carries its own weight. Come and listen to him:
- on 11.09 for the season’s opening
- from 5 to 8 February during the Stravinsky Festival
- from 9 to 12 June with Alice Sara Ott
"I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the orchestra again throughout the 26/27 season as Artistic Partner. We met for the first time in November 2024 and the first notes of music we explored together were those of Beethoven’s uplifting Second Symphony. I was inspired on that occasion by the sheer generosity of the musicians, the openness to new ideas, and the almost effortless way in which the internal energy of Beethoven’s music began to fill the rehearsal room. Later that same season we explored the beautiful world of Arvo Pärt’s music together and, once again, I was profoundly moved by the shared collaborative experience. It is, therefore, with a sense of great excitement and anticipation that I look forward to all the wonderful music we will be performing together over the coming season at Bozar!" – Matthew Halls
Eivind Aadland – Artistic Partner
Eivind Aadland is also an Artistic Partner this season. It has been a while since we last worked together, so this season makes for a welcome reunion. The Norwegian conductor, once concertmaster of the Bergen Philharmonic and celebrated for his Grieg recordings, is a dedicated champion of Scandinavian music. Discover him:
- on 18 September in Shostakovich 10, one of the highlights of the season.
- on 11 April with Daniel Lozakovich
"I have many beautiful memories with the BNO and look forward to reconnecting with this excellent orchestra next season. I have long admired William Kentridge and am excited to conduct Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony alongside Oh to Believe in Another World." – Eivind Aadland