The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Israeli conductor Lahav Shani will become Chief Conductor from 2026/2027 season. Shani’s contract will run for five years.

Lahav Shani (34) brings a wealth of musical experience with him: leading the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra as its youngest principal conductor since 2018 and assuming the position of principal conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, succeeding Zubin Mehta in 2020.

Shani began his career after winning the Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition in Bamberg in 2013 and has maintained a close association with his past mentor, Gramophone’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Daniel Barenboim.

Shani has plans to visit the hall as guest conductor on occasions prior to 2026, including conducting the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra at the open air music festival, Klassik am Odeonsplatz in the summer of 2024.

Speaking of his appointment Shani said, ‘The orchestra is modern, curious and incredibly beautiful in sound. It is an honor for me to shape the future together with the musicians. I'm looking forward to Munich and I'm happy to come here regularly even before 2026.’

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