Jun Märkl named chief conductor of the Basque National Orchestra

The noted German conductor Jun Märkl will conduct the new concert programme (5, 6 and 8 November) as the Basque National Orchestra's principal conductor. Coinciding with his return to Euskadi as general manager, Oriol Roch formally announced that Jun Märkl would be heading the Basque orchestra for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons. The decision was backed by the Board of Directors.

A few months ago Jun Märkl was named musical adviser to the Basque National Orchestra. At the time, the Basque Department of Education, Language Policy and Culture, Jun Märkl and the outgoing general manager, Iñigo Alberdi, decided to wait before announcing the appointment the new general manager. On 3rd November Jun Märkl became the Basque National Orchestra principal conductor for the next two seasons.

The new principal conductor has worked with the Basque orchestra on numerous occasions. His first collaboration was in 2012 as part of the Festival Musique en Côte Basque in Biarritz. Since then, the German maestro has conducted the Orchestra in different Season Concert programmes and at last year's San Sebastián Classical Music Festival.

As for his career, we should point out that Märkl is a highly respected and experienced conductor with an extensive international background and greatly familiar with the German and French repertoire. He has been principal conductor with well-known symphony orchestras such as the Orchestre National de Lyon (2005-2011) and the MDR Sinfonierorchester Leipzig (until 2012). He conducts orchestras of international stature including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic and the Munich Philharmonic. He also conducts operas, including the Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Budapest and Dresden state operas. Among his numerous recordings are the outstanding versions of Mahler, Schumann and an acclaimed collection of new volumes dedicated to Debussy. (full bio included).

Jun Märkl's appointment as principal conductor completes the Orchestra's musical leadership, together with Andrey Boreyko, who continues in his role as Principal Guest Conductor.