Gianandrea Noseda Extends Tenure as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra through 100th Anniversary Season in 2031

Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2025) — The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is proud to announce
that Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, who began his tenure in September 2017, has signed a fouryear
contract extension; his current contract runs through the 2026–2027 season. This ensures that his remarkable leadership of and artistic partnership with the NSO continues through its centennial season in 2031. Noseda was appointed Music Director Designate in January 2016 and became Music Director in September 2017. This renewal comes after what is nearly a decade-long relationship with the NSO and reafÏrms Noseda’s enduring impact on the NSO’s sound, vision, and legacy.

“For nearly 95 years, the National Symphony Orchestra has stood as a preeminent ensemble in our nation, engaging top talent and showcasing new works by some of America’s most promising composers,” said Noseda. “I am honored to continue this journey with these extraordinary orchestral artists as we approach the NSO’s 100th anniversary in 2031. As Music Director, I feel so fortunate to follow in the footsteps of musical legends like Mstislav Rostropovich, Leonard Slatkin, and Antal Doráti. It’s an honor to help shape the orchestra’s sound for today while celebrating and preserving the rich legacy that makes the National Symphony Orchestra so unique.” 

NSO Executive Director Jean Davidson added, “The NSO is absolutely thrilled to announce that Gianandrea Noseda will continue as our Music Director through 2031. In my time working alongside him, I’ve been continually amazed by the unique connection he fosters with both our orchestra and our audiences. His leadership is truly something special, and under his guidance, the future of the NSO is more promising than ever. We can’t wait to embark on many more years of unforgettable music-making together.”

NSO Board Chair Joan Bialek said “Gianandrea Noseda, along with our world class musicians, has brought the National Symphony Orchestra to new heights in the world of classical music. I am pleased that Gianandrea has extended his contract with the NSO until 2031. He lives in the hearts of everyone around him, including the musicians, the NSO staff, and every NSO Board member. I look forward to reaching even greater milestones with Gianandrea at the helm.”

Since becoming Music Director in the 2017–2018 season, Noseda has led the NSO into a bold new artistic chapter featuring critically acclaimed performances, innovative programming, and a renewed focus on new music. Under his baton, the orchestra has accomplished:

• Numerous performance presentations at Carnegie Hall in 2019, 2023, 2024, and a forthcoming concert in 2026
• A performance at Lincoln Center in 2019
• The development of the NSO’s own label, releasing the following albums—
    o Dvorák: Symphony No. 9; Copland: Billy The Kid
    o Beethoven: Complete Symphonies
    o George Walker: Five Sinfonias
    o Carlos Simon: Four Orchestral Works
    o Recorded and yet to be released:
    ? Barber: Vanessa
    ? Mahler: Symphony No.7
    ? William Grant Still: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4
• The performances of eight co-commissioned works, of which five are world premieres by notable composers like Carlos Simon, Mason Bates, Michael Daugherty, and James Lee III.
• Additionally, Noseda led the Orchestra on its first international tour since the pandemic – in February 2024. The tour featured 10 acclaimed concerts in nine cities in Spain, Germany, and Italy
• In March 2025 Noseda will lead the orchestra in its first domestic tour since 2011 with five concerts throughout the state of Florida
• Since beginning as Music Director, Noseda has hired 23 of its 96 full-time musicians to the orchestra’s roster
• Since 2019, Noseda has been quietly loaning 17th-19th century Italian string instruments from his private collection to the NSO—including seven violins and one viola

As the NSO looks ahead to its historic 100th anniversary season, Noseda’s continued leadership promises
to propel the orchestra to new artistic heights while honoring its storied tradition.

About the National Symphony Orchestra
The 2024–2025 season is the National Symphony Orchestra’s 94th season and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda’s eighth season. Since its founding in 1931, the NSO has been committed to performances that enrich the lives of its audience and community members. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic afÏliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it has performed since the Center opened in 1971. The NSO participates in events of national and international importance, including the annual nationally televised concerts on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, livestreamed performances on medici.tv, and local radio broadcasts on WETA 90.9 FM.

Since launching its eponymous recording label in 2020, the NSO has embarked on ambitious recording projects including the Orchestra’s first complete Beethoven Symphony cycle and the release of the firstever cycle of George Walker’s Sinfonias, both led by Noseda. Recent projects include a new series of Four
Symphonic Works by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon conducted by Noseda, and William Shatner’s So Fragile, So Blue, recorded live with the NSO in the Concert Hall.

The NSO’s community engagement and education projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood; Notes of Honor; and Sound Health. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its acclaimed, tuition-free Summer Music About Gianandrea Noseda

Gianandrea Noseda is one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, equally recognized for his artistry in both the concert hall and opera house. He is Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra, General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House, Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and founding Music Director of the Tsinandali Festival and Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra. Noseda’s leadership has inspired and reinvigorated the National Symphony Orchestra, which makes its home at the Kennedy Center. The renewed artistic recognition has led to invitations to leading international concert halls, digital streaming, and a record label distributed by LSO Live. Noseda’s discography numbers over 80, with many of them receiving critical acclaim.

Noseda has conducted the most important international orchestras, opera houses and festivals. The institutions where he has had significant roles include the Teatro Regio Torino (Music Director), BBC Philharmonic (Chief Conductor), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal Guest Conductor), Mariinsky
Theatre (Principal Guest Conductor), Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI (Principal Guest Conductor), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Victor de Sabata Chair), and Rotterdam Philharmonic (Principal Guest Conductor).

A native of Milan, Noseda is Commendatore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, marking his contribution to the artistic life of Italy. He has also been honored with Musical America’s Conductor of the Year, International Opera Awards Conductor of the Year, OPER! AWARDS Best Conductor and is a recipient of the Puccini Award and the "Ambrogino d'Oro" by the city of Milan.