Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie appoints Jonathan Bloxham as chief conductor

The Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie (NWD) in Herford, Germany has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Bloxham as its next chief conductor. Joining the orchestra from September 2024, Bloxham will succeed Jonathon Heyward who stepped down from the role in February 2024 after a four-year tenure.

Bloxham’s was voted into the role by a large majority of NWD musicians after an extensive consultation period. He will hold the position of chief conductor for an initial period of three years building on the relationship he has forged across several performances with NWD as guest conductor.

Bloxham said: ‘I am thrilled to accept the position of chief conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, an orchestra I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few seasons. I find their long-standing commitment to serving the communities of North Rhine-Westphalia very inspiring, and I am honoured to be given the opportunity to build upon the legacy of former Chief Conductors such as Andris Nelsons and Jonathon Heyward. I can’t wait to share all the exciting plans we have together for the coming years.’

Bloxham will balance his new role with a busy calendar of guest appearances and his dual roles as music director of Luzerner Theater and resident conductor and artistic advisor with the London Mozart Players. His first concert with NWD as chief conductor designate will take place this evening, when he is set to lead the orchestra along with pianist Haiou Zhang in a programme of Sibelius, Rachmaninoff and Nielsen.

In the coming weeks Bloxham is also set to lead the London Philharmonic at the Newbury Festival; and conduct the Guildhall School’s prestigious Gold Medal competition at the Barbican Centre, He is also set to make his debut at the Grafenegg Festival with the Tonkuenstlerorchester as well as making his return to the Salzburg Mozarteumorchester; and conducting a televised concert in the Salzburg Grosses Festspielhaus.