INTERNATIONAL RISING STAR
Martijn Dendievel takes office as chief conductor of Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen from January 2026. "Martijn symbolises what Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen stands for: proud of our roots, particularly ambitious, approachable, broadly interested and with an open view of the world", says intendant Jos Roeden. The selection committee chose unanimously for Dendievel from an international group of conductors as the successor to Kristiina Poska, who will retire from the orchestra in October 2025 after six seasons. Dendievel is tasked with continuing the artistic growth achieved under Poska and strengthening the role of the orchestra both nationally and internationally with a wide diversity of projects. Despite his young age, the 28-year-old Dendievel brings considerable experience and an international network with him. Following his win of the prestigious Deutscher Dirigentenpreis in 2021, his international breakthrough followed with guest directorships at, among others, Tonkünstler-Orchester Wien, Copenhagen Philharmonic and Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. Martijn is a regular guest with orchestras such as Orchestra del Teatro Comunale Bologna, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and Sinfonia Varsovia. From the 2024-2025 season onwards, Dendievel will also become chief conductor of the Hofer Symphoniker in the German city of Hof.FROM YOUNG LISTENER TO CHIEF CONDUCTOR
Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen's choice of their Martijn Dendievel comes as no surprise. Growing up in West Flanders, the orchestra always played an important role in Dendievel's musical development: first as a young listener in the audience, then from 2018 as Assistant Conductor and from 2022 as Associate Conductor. The orchestra's musicians have seen him develop over recent years into a musical personality who possesses all the qualities to take on the position of chief conductor at Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen: driven, sensitive, jovial and with impressive musical depth. Through the talent development programmes of Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, Dendievel has been able to develop into one of the promising conductors of his generation. It is unique in the international orchestral world for an orchestra to produce its own new chief conductor. "It is thanks to Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen that I am where I am today as a conductor. The feedback, support and open conversations with all members of the orchestra have made me a better conductor and a better person. I am very much looking forward to the future with this orchestra." - Martijn DendievelFIRST BELGIAN CHIEF CONDUCTOR IN 20 YEARS
Martijn Dendievel is the first Belgian in 20 years to be appointed as chief conductor at one of Belgium's symphonic orchestras. "Sometimes, exceptional talent is close at hand", is the message from Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen."I regard Martijn as one of the revelations of the international classical music world and am proud of his appointment as future chief conductor. Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen is in full transition. We are innovating our programming to increase our social impact. Martijn symbolises what Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen stands for: proud of our roots, particularly ambitious, approachable, broadly interested and with an open view of the world. On the basis of the solid musical foundation laid by Kristiina Poska, Martijn can now continue building."