Vienna Philharmonic Second Violin Principal Appointed Music Director of Major European Orchestra

The Bruckner Orchestra Linz in Austria has announced the appointment of a new chief conductor: rising Austrian conductor Christoph Koncz will succeed Markus Poschner as the orchestra’s next Music Director. Poschner is set to leave Linz at the end of the 2026–27 season to take up the post of chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Speculation over Poschner’s successor had been ongoing for some time. Out of 140 applicants for the position, Koncz emerged as the final choice following a presentation round on Monday evening that featured seven male candidates. The decision was made public the following day (Tuesday), and Koncz was officially appointed by the Governor of Upper Austria today (Thursday).

At 37, Christoph Koncz already boasts an impressive musical career. He gained international fame at the age of nine for his portrayal of the violin prodigy Kaspar Weiss in the Oscar-winning 1999 film The Red Violin, which received the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

At just 20 years old, Koncz was appointed principal second violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, a position he has held for many years.

In parallel with his orchestral work, Koncz has steadily built a distinguished conducting career. Since 2019, he has served as principal conductor of the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss, and since 2023, as music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse in France.

Koncz is also a frequent guest conductor with renowned orchestras around the world, including the Vienna State Opera Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.