The Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland has appointed American conductor Benjamin Shwartz as its new music director from the 2013-14 season. Shwartz replaces Jacek Kaspszyk, who takes up his new role as artistic director of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra in September.

Los Angeles-born Shwartz studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and was resident conductor at the San Francisco Symphony from 2005-2008. He has also conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony and Royal Swedish Opera. He has received the Presser Music Award and was a prize-winner at the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in 2007.

Schwartz last conducted the Wrocław Philharmonic in Mahler’s First Symphony in March this year.