Andreas Delfs – Past Concerts

Andreas Delfs has earned a stellar reputation as one of the most respected conductors in the orchestra world. Mr. Delfs is recognized as a successful, hands-on orchestra builder and as an imaginative and inspiring music director. His passionate and dramatic interpretations of the late Romantic repertoire have drawn critical acclaim, reflecting a constantly evolving artistic maturity marked by the insight, depth, and integrity he brings to the podium. His love of new music and his commitment to discovering and exploring fresh voices have led him to establish close relationships with many of today's composers and to conduct numerous world premiere performances. Mr. Delfs counts among his profound musical inspirations composers including Hans Werner Henze, György Ligeti, Philip Glass, and Roberto Sierra; he has partnered with many of the world's most renowned solo artists, including André Watts, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, and Renée Fleming.

He has held chief artistic posts with several orchestras in North America and Europe. As Music Director (1996–2009) and Conductor Laureate (2009–2015) of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Delfs was instrumental in the orchestra's rise to national prominence. He also led the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Music Director (2001–2004) and Artistic Consultant (2004–2006). He served as General Music Director of Hanover, Germany (1995–2000), conducting the city's renowned symphony orchestra and opera company. Earlier, Mr. Delfs was Music Director of the Bern Opera; resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Lorin Maazel's tenure; and Music Director, at an early age, of the Orchestre Suisse des Jeunes.

Mr. Delfs studied with Christoph von Dohnányi and Aldo Ceccato at the Hamburg Conservatory. At 20, Mr. Delfs became the youngest-ever Music Director of the Hamburg University Orchestra and Musical Assistant at the Hamburg State Opera. He enrolled at The Juilliard School; studied with Jorge Mester, Sixten Ehrling and Leonard Bernstein; and won the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship.