He’s a rising star at home and overseas, he made it into Forbes Hungary’s «30 under 30» list, he is both an accomplished conductor and a virtuosic pianist: Martin Rajna is the new maestro of the Luxembourg Philharmonic! Between him and the musicians, it was «love at first sight», he tells us. But where and when did they meet? How did the search for the orchestra’s next music director go? And who exactly is Martin, both within and beyond the world of music? Before he returns to Luxembourg for good, we tell you everything on this page.
29,years old
October 2026,is when his term begins
For 4,seasons (to begin with...)
A graduate of the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, this Hungarian-born conductor is currently furthering his training at the Hochschule für Musik «Franz Liszt» in Weimar under Nicolás Pasquet and Ekhart Wycik. In addition to being a beneficiary of the Deutscher Musikrat’s Conducting Forum in 2022 and a Conducting Fellow at the Lucerne Festival Academy, where Thomas Adès served as his mentor, his numerous awards and support include participation in the Mentoring Program of the Peter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation. This program enabled him to collaborate with composers such as Péter Eötvös, György Kurtág, Fabián Panisello, and Magnus Lindberg. In 2023, he assisted Ádám Fischer during the Budapest Wagner Days. The same year, at the age of 27, he was appointed Principal Conductor of the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest. In this role, he is conducting productions of The Flying Dutchman, Macbeth, Die Fledermaus, Maria Stuarda, and Cavalleria Rusticana this season. As Music Director of the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Rajna is regularly invited by numerous European orchestras.
For the 2024/25 season, he will return to conduct the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he will make his debut leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Teatro La Fenice, and the Nürnberger Symphoniker. At the Tirol Festival Erl, he will conduct productions of Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle and Francis Poulenc’s La Voix humaine, directed by Claus Guth.
« I am very much looking forward to working together with this team and these musicians. »
- Martin Rajna
Appointing a new Maestro: a look behind-the-scenes
Our colleagues Patrick Coljon and Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, both members of the search committee for the new Music Director, explain how they came to choose Martin Rajna.
With its signature Academy, the Luxembourg Philharmonic works to train and support the next generation of orchestra musicians. Find out how by visiting this dedicated page!
Wonder how an orchestra works? What the difference between a banjo and a piccolo is? Who the Luxembourg Philharmonc's 99 musicians are? Explore their biographies and instruments here.
