At just 29 years old, Hungarian conductor Martin Rajna has been appointed as the new chief conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing a fresh perspective to the ensemble from September 2026.

The Philharmonie has announced that 29-year-old Hungarian conductor Martin Rajna will take over as the new chief conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra (OPL) for four seasons, starting in September 2026. The appointment was revealed by Minister of Culture Eric Thill during a press conference at the Philharmonie on Thursday morning.

Minister Thill expressed confidence in Rajna's ability to deliver "great and inspired" concerts, adding that the young conductor will not only captivate audiences but also enrich Luxembourg's broader music scene.

Rajna, who currently serves as the chief conductor of the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest, will succeed Spaniard Gustavo Gimeno, who has led the OPL since 2015.

The Philharmonie hinted at the announcement in an Instagram post on Wednesday, featuring footage of the Budapest Opera House and a pianist–a nod to Rajna's dual talents as both a conductor and an accomplished pianist.

Rajna's credentials include training at the prestigious Franz Liszt Conservatory in Budapest and accolades such as the 2023 György Cziffra Festival Talent Prize. These achievements highlight his exceptional skills and made him a standout candidate to lead the OPL into what many hope will be an exciting new chapter in its history.

So far, Rajna has spent five days working with the orchestra, describing the initial phase as a time to "get to know each other." Despite the brief interaction, he expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that he and the orchestra will "work great together" and that he looks forward to creating memorable musical experiences.

While it is too early to outline a detailed vision for his four-season tenure, Rajna has already made a strong impression on the orchestra. David Sattler, an OPL musician, praised Rajna's responsiveness to the orchestra's input and his ability to win over the musicians with his musical programme in just one week.

The public will have its first opportunity to experience Rajna's leadership during a concert in March 2026, followed by the season's closing performance at Kinnekswiss. His official tenure as chief conductor will begin in September 2026.

© Image by  Andrea Felvégi / Website Martin Rajna
The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018 / © RTL Archives / Philharmonie
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