Conductor Christian Reif Announces 2025-2026 Season

Conducts Six Programs with Sweden’s Gavle Symphony Orchestra
in his Third Season as Chief Conductor

Guest Conducting Engagements Include Debuts with the
Danish Chamber Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra,
Australian Youth Orchestra,
Nashville Symphony, and The Florida Orchestra

Returns to the George Enescu International Festival,
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic,
Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal, National Radio Orchestra of Romania,
Houston Symphony, and National Arts Centre Orchestra

Leads World Premieres by Lil Lacy, Brian Fields,
Rune Glerup, and Veljko Nenadic

“No doubt about it, Reif is a remarkable talent.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“Reif matched a fluid grace with an architectural sensibility, offering a detail-oriented performance with especially pleasing lightness and clarity… an arresting force from the podium… In Reif, the orchestra would get a showman, but, as this brief encounter also revealed, a conductor who contains multitudes – who can dance many dances at once.” – The Washington Post

“Conductor Christian Reif’s leadership was both insightful and galvanizing.”
– Cincinnati Business Journal

www.christianreif.eu

New York, NY (August 21, 2025) – Called “an arresting force from the podium” (The Washington Post) and described as “a rare pleasure to watch” (Merker), German conductor Christian Reif has established a reputation for his natural musicality, innovative programming, and technical command. In 2025-2026, Reif takes on his third season as Chief Conductor of the Gavle Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, leading a string of concerts combining core classical repertoire with works by 20th and 21st century composers from North America, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries, including a world premiere composition by Composer In Residence Lil Lacy. In guest engagements around the world, he makes debuts with the Danish Chamber Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, and The Florida Orchestra. He makes return engagements at the George Enescu International Festival, conducting the Romanian Youth Orchestra, and with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal, National Radio Orchestra of Romania, Houston Symphony, and National Arts Centre Orchestra.

In the Gavle Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert on September 5, 2025, Reif conducts a program led by Andrea Tarrodi’s Liguria, the contemporary Swedish composer’s musical portrait of the Italian coast. The program continues with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor, featuring soloist Alim Beisembayev, and Ives’ Symphony No. 2. On October 10, 2025, Reif and the orchestra are joined by flutist Julia Crowell for a performance of Composer In Residence Lil Lacy’s lush and expressive Flute Concerto, Fluidity of Matter and Life, paired on this program with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4. Reif next conducts the orchestra on November 27, 2025 in a program bringing together Robert Schumann’s The Bride of Messina Overture, Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring soloist Alexander Melnikov, and Luciano Berio’s Rendering, the modernist composer’s interpretation on sketches by Schubert.

Violinist Clara Jumi-Kang performs with the Gavle Symphony Orchestra on January 29, 2026, as Reif conducts a program of Swedish composer Bo Linde’s Pensieri sopra un cantico vecchio (Thoughts on an Old Song) alongside Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40. On March 20, 2026, Reif leads the orchestra in the world premiere of a new work by Lil Lacy, a Danish/American composer celebrated for her transportative soundscapes, along with Latvian composer Peteris Vasks’ Violin Concerto No. 1, “Distant Light,” featuring soloist Vadim Gluzman, and Reinecke’s Symphony No. 2. He returns for the Gavle Symphony Orchestra’s season-closing concert on May 8, 2026 as soprano Julia Bullock performs in Poulenc’s La voix humaine, paired on this program with Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara’s powerfully atmospheric Symphony No. 7. During the season, Reif will also lead the orchestra in recordings of Reinecke’s Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3.

Reif’s guest engagements this season first take him to the George Enescu International Festival in Bucharest, Romania, where he conducts the Romanian Youth Orchestra on September 16, 2025. The orchestra will be joined by pianist Simon Trpceski, soprano Ailyn Pérez, mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi, tenor Maximilian Schmitt, bass Soloman Howard, and the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir conducted by Iosef Ion Prunner for a performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. The concert underscores the George Enescu International Festival’s partnership with the European Commission in championing cultural diplomacy while celebrating music’s power to transcend borders, unite cultures, and give voice to a shared human spirit.

Reif goes on to conduct Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal on September 21 and 22, 2025, leading a program of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, alongside Korngold’s Theme and Variations Op. 42 and Weill’s Symphony No. 2.

In October, Reif takes on back-to-back engagements in the United States, appearing first with the Houston Symphony on October 17, 18, and 19, 2025. The program for all three dates features pianist Hélène Grimaud in Gershwin’s Concerto in F, performed alongside Perry’s A Short Piece for Orchestra and Weill’s Symphony No. 2. The October 18 performance will be livestreamed through the Houston Symphony website. Reif goes on to conduct the Nashville Symphony on October 24 and 25, 2025, as mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges joins the orchestra for the world premiere of Brian Fields’ Hymn for the Hurting, a musical setting for poetry by Amanda Gorman. The program also includes Ives’ The Unanswered Question, Perry’s Stabat Mater, and Weill’s Symphony No. 2.

In Europe for the remainder of the year, Reif conducts the Danish Chamber Orchestra on November 8, 2025, leading an All Saints’ Day program featuring the world premiere of Rune Glerup’s cello concerto, Om det der forsvind (“About what disappears”), with soloist Andreas Brantelid. The program also includes Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Reif closes out 2025 and opens 2026 with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, leading performances on December 29 and 30, 2025 and January 3 and 4, 2026.

He returns to North America for an engagement with The Florida Orchestra on January 9 and 10, 2026, leading a program comprising Wagner’s Siegfried’s Rhine Journey (arr. Humperdinck), Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 featuring soloist Evren Ozel, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15. He goes on to lead Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, as classical guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas joins the orchestra for the Canadian premiere of Arturo Márquez’ work for solo guitar and orchestra, Concierto Místico y Profano. The program also includes two works by Isidora Žebeljan – The Horses of Saint Mark and Zujte Strune (“Hum away, hum away, strings!”) – and closes with Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 in D major.

On February 11, 2026, Reif leads the Australian Youth Orchestra at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, conducting a program of compelling contemporary works – Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour, Nobuo Uematsu’s Final Fantasy IX Suite, and Daniel Nelson’s Steampunk Blizzard – paired with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

He returns to Europe for the remainder of the season, first conducting the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic   on April 17 and 19, 2026. Both programs feature Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, op. 25 and Brahms’ Double Concerto featuring violinist Liza Ferschtman and cellist Ivan Karizna, with the addition of Weill’s Symphony No. 2 on the April 17 program. He goes on to conduct the Belgrade Philharmonic on April 24, 2026, leading the orchestra and horn soloist Stefan Dohr in the world premiere of Veljko Nenadic’s Horn Concerto – Homage to Isidora Žebeljan, written in honor of the late contemporary Serbian composer. The program also includes Žebeljan’s own work, Dance of Wooden Sticks, as well as Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4. In his final engagement of the season, Reif returns to the Romanian Radio National Orchestra on May 15, 2026, leading a program including works by Prokofiev and Beethoven.

Christian Reif 2025-2026 Season Calendar

Friday, September 5, 2025
Gavle Symphony Orchestra (Opening Week)
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/tchaikovskys-pianokonsert/

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Enescu Festival – Romanian Youth Orchestra
Palace Hall | Bucharest, Romania
Link: www.festivalenescu.ro/en/george-enescu-international-festival/concert-schedule/romanian-youth-orchestra-1777516191

Sunday–Monday, September 21-22, 2025
Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal
Historische Stadthalle | Wuppertal, Germany
Link: www.sinfonieorchester-wuppertal.de/konzerte/detailansicht-auffuehrung/beethoven-vier/5310

Friday, October 10, 2025
Gavle Symphony Orchestra
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/crowell-lacy/

Friday–Sunday, October 17–19, 2025
Houston Symphony
Jones Hall | Houston, TX, USA
Link: houstonsymphony.org/performance/gershwin-grimaud-jazz-symphony/

Friday–Saturday, October 24–25, 2025
Nashville Symphony
Schermerhorn Symphony Center | Nashville, TN, USA
Link: www.nashvillesymphony.org/tickets/concert/2025-2026-season/reflections-and-hope/

Saturday, November 8, 2025
Danish Chamber Orchestra
Konservatoriets Koncertsal | Copenhagen, Denmark
Link: underholdningsorkester.dk/dodenstoner/

Thursday, November 27, 2025
Gavle Symphony Orchestra
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/melnikov-mendelssohn/

Monday–Tuesday, December 29–30, 2025
Saturday–Sunday, January 3–4, 2026
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
Various Venues | Riga, Latvia
Link: en.lnso.lv/

Friday–Saturday, January 9–10, 2026
The Florida Orchestra
Venue TBC | St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Link: floridaorchestra.org/event/2526-mw5-mozart-piano-concerto-21/

Wednesday–Thursday, January 14–15, 2026
National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Canada
Link: nac-cna.ca/en/event/38408

Thursday, January 29, 2026
Gavle Symphony Orchestra
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/jumi-kang-prokofiev/

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Australian Youth Orchestra
Sidney Myer Music Bowl | Melbourne, Australia
Link: ayo.com.au/

Friday, March 20, 2026
Gavle Symphony Orchestra
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/gluzman-vasks/

Friday, April 17, 2026
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic
TivoliVredenburg | Utrecht, Netherlands
Link: www.radiofilharmonischorkest.nl/en/concerten/

Sunday, April 19, 2026
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic
Het Concertgebouw | Amsterdam, Netherlands
Link: www.radiofilharmonischorkest.nl/en/concerten/

Friday, April 24, 2026
Belgrade Philharmonic
Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall | Belgrade, Serbia
Link: www.bgf.rs/en/repertoar_cp/christian-reif-and-stefan-dohr/

Friday, May 8, 2026
Gavle Symphony Orchestra (Season Closer)
Gavle Concert Hall | Gavle, Sweden
Link: www.gavlekonserthus.se/konserter/julia-bullock/

Friday, May 15, 2026
National Radio Orchestra of Romania
Venue TBC | Bucharest, Romania
Link: www.radirofestival.ro/?page_id=995&lang=en

More About Christian Reif

Chief Conductor of the Gavle Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, Christian Reif has established a reputation for his natural musicality, innovative programming, and technical command. 

Since 2022, Reif has served as Music Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival, a month-long summer festival in Minnesota featuring the nation’s top classical performers in programming that ranges from opera and chamber music to symphonic performances, along with commissioned new works. LAMF believes that high quality arts experiences should be accessible to all and operates on a name-your-price ticket model.

Highlights of Reif’s 2025/26 season include debut performances with the Nashville Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, Danish Chamber Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, and Australian Youth Orchestra. He returns to conduct the Houston Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, and National Radio Orchestra of Romania.

With an equal footing in North America and Europe, Reif has conducted the symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Kansas City, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Previous season highlights include appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, SWR Symphony, and Royal Northern Sinfonia. In Europe, he has performed repeatedly with Orchestre National de Lyon, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Hallé Orchestra, and Stavanger Symphony.

Reif enjoys conducting opera and has led productions at the Music Academy of the West of Don Giovanni, Juilliard Opera of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Opera San Jose of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, and the Lakes Area Music Festival of Ariadne auf Naxos, The Rake’s Progress, and Hansel and Gretel.

In 2024, Reif won a GRAMMY® for the Nonesuch Records album Walking in the Dark, the debut solo album of classical singer Julia Bullock, in which he accompanied her on piano and led London's Philharmonia Orchestra. The album was praised by Gramophone Magazine as “illuminating” and described Reif as providing “excellent support” for Bullock. In 2020, during the pandemic, Reif and Bullock recorded a series of at-home virtual “Songs of Comfort,” ranging from Carole King’s classic “Up on the Roof” to Schubert’s Wanderers Nachtlied. NPR Music featured the duo in a “Tiny Desk Concert” for their special quarantine edition of the series, and The New York Times highlighted them on their “Best Classical Music of 2020” list.

From 2016 to 2019, Christian was Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, after being the Conducting Fellow at the New World Symphony from 2014 to 2016 and at Tanglewood Music Center in 2015 and 2016. He studied conducting at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and at The Juilliard School in New York City. He resides in Munich with his wife, Julia Bullock, and their son.

*Photo Credit: Gavle Symphony Orchestra

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