This week, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zürich enters a new era as Lionel Bringuier assumes the podium as Chief Conductor and Music Director. The 27-year-old maestro becomes the 12th to helm the famed orchestra and brings with him a number of initiatives geared towards embracing the ensemble’s rich history while also looking forward to the future.

September 10 and 11’s season-opening concerts feature the world premiere of Karawane, a work celebrating the history of Dadaism (which takes roots in Zürich), written by first-ever Creative Chair Esa-Pekka Salonen. The French conductor and Finnish composer previously worked together at the Los Angeles Philharmonic when Lionel served as Assistant Conductor under Salonen’s music directorship.

The program also sees the first performances of Yuja Wang as the orchestra’s newest Artist-in-Residence. Wang, a frequent artistic collaborator of Lionel’s, performs Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The concert closes with Berlioz’s exuberantSymphonie fantastique.

Opening week for the Tonhalle Orchestra includes an open house on Saturday, September 13. The event comes as part of Lionel’s aim to further integrate the Orchestra into the community. Activities include a Q&A with Lionel and the Orchestra’s new General Director Ilona Schmiel as well as a free concert of Ravel’s Bolero that blends Tonhalle musicians with local amateur performers.