The Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda, 51, has been named the new Music Director of Washington DC's National Symphony Orchestra. Succeeding Christoph Eschenbach, Noseda will assume the role in 2017. Currently Music Director of the Teatro Regio in Turin, Noseda served as the Music Director of the Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic (2002-11) with which he recorded, and continues to record, extensively for Chandos. Earlier in his career he was the first foreign-born principal guest conductor of the Mariinsky Orchestra of St Petersburg, perhaps explaining his remarkable affinity for the Russian repertoire.

Noseda first conducted the NSO in 2011 and clearly the chemistry worked. 'What really impressed me,' he told the Washington Post, 'is the development we got together, from the first rehearsal to the first concert, and how much the quality was increasing in the next two performances.'

In addition to his recordings for Chandos, which includes a series focusing on 20th-century Italian symphonic repertoire, Noseda is a much sought-after recital partner, having conducted solo recordings for Rolando Villazón, Diana Damrau, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo and Anna Netrebko.