"VISIONS OF EUROPE"

Josep Pons brings a European perspective as new Chief Conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie

With internationally renowned Spanish conductor Josep Pons, the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie (DRP) begins a new era in the 2025/26 season. Pons takes over as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, bringing not only outstanding musical experience but also a clear vision: to anchor the orchestra more deeply within Europe’s cultural discourse.

“I want the musical world in Berlin, Paris, or Vienna to ask: What’s happening in Saarbrücken?” Pons said at his presentation today at Saarländischer Rundfunk in Saarbrücken. His answer: a programmatic reorientation that does not merely present music, but places it in broader cultural, societal, and historical contexts.

"With Josep Pons, a highly experienced conductor and passionate musician is taking over as chief conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie," says Martin Grasmück, Director General of Saarländischer Rundfunk. SWR Regional Director for Rhineland-Palatinate, Ulla Fiebig, adds: "Audiences can look forward to beautiful, top-class concerts."

“Visions of Europe” shapes three concert seasons

The thematic framework is provided by the series “Visions of Europe,” which unfolds over three seasons. The first season, titled "The World of Yesterday"—named after Stefan Zweig’s memoir—explores Europe’s cultural heritage against the backdrop of its political upheavals. Carefully curated programs are planned, featuring renowned soloists such as Marianne Crebassa, Frank Peter Zimmermann, and Arabella Steinbacher.

Another central project is "Universum Hildegard", dedicated to the medieval polymath Hildegard of Bingen. The highlight will be the world premiere of the oratorio HILDEGARD by Roland Kunz, complemented by chamber music programs and a cultural radio format on SR, curated by DRP manager Maria Grätzel.

“We don’t want to change the repertoire, but the perspective on it,” emphasizes Pons. “Classical concerts in many places have remained in the 19th century – now is the time for new thinking, for new listening.”

A cultural hub in the heart of Europe

Pons envisions the DRP not only as a musical flagship but as a space for dialogue and ideas. “The DRP lies at the heart of Europe – we want to make this heart beat. Music, philosophy, sociology, art, and politics should engage in dialogue within our projects.”

Guest concerts regularly take the DRP to the broadcasting regions of SR and SWR, and time and again across the Rhine — to cities such as Metz or to the International Competition for Young Conductors in Besançon.

A focus on Brett Dean and women composers

With Australian composer Brett Dean, the DRP welcomes a new Creative Partner who will contribute both original compositions and curated programs. The new position of Principal Guest Conductor will be held by Michael Schønwandt.

A total of eleven works by women composers – including Missy Mazzoli, Cécile Chaminade, and Eun-Hwa Cho – and four world premieres will open up new sonic horizons.

Official trailer: Josep Pons & the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie -
a new era

About Josep Pons

Josep Pons is widely regarded as the leading Spanish conductor of his generation. He has enjoyed a close association with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie and its predecessor, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Saarbrücken, since 2006. He conducted the DRP at the Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival in Warsaw in 2017, led the opening concert of the Saar Music Festival the same year, and performed with violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann in Mannheim and Saarbrücken in 2018 and 2011. The repertoire Pons has worked on with the DRP reflects his impressive artistic range – from Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann to Ravel and Debussy, Spanish music, Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, and contemporary works by composers such as Mauricio Sotelo and Benet Casablancas.

He is currently Music Director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and Honorary Conductor of the Orquesta Nacional de España. He has conducted major orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, WDR Cologne, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Orchestre de Paris, NHK Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Known for his visionary and innovative projects, Pons aims to foster the organic development of cultural institutions beyond music itself.

Outlook: Inaugural concerts

9 October: Saarbrücken
10 October: Kaiserslautern
11 October: Metz

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