Martijn Dendievel appointed as new chief conductor of Flanders Symphony Orchestra
Young, Flemish and a rising star in the orchestral world. Martijn Dendievel (°1995) will be the new chief conductor of Flanders Symphony Orchestra. Dendievel has already taken some important career steps with the orchestra, which is based at De Bijloke in Ghent. As chief conductor from January 2026, he will have the task of further developing the orchestra artistically to a top international level.
INTERNATIONAL RISING STAR
Martijn Dendievel will join Flanders Symphony Orchestra as chief conductor for at least three seasons, starting in January 2026. CEO Jos Roeden says: "Martijn symbolises what the Flanders Symphony Orchestra wants to stand for: proud of its origins, approachable, ambitious, locally anchored but with an international reach.”
The selection committee unanimously chose Dendievel from an international field of conductors to succeed Kristiina Poska, who will leave the orchestra in October 2025 after six seasons. Dendievel's task will be to continue the artistic growth achieved under Poska and to expand the orchestra's role both in Flanders and internationally with a wide range of projects.
Despite his young age, 28-years-old Dendievel brings with him a wealth of experience and an extensive international network. After winning the prestigious German Conductors' Prize in 2021, his international breakthrough came with guest appearances with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, Copenhagen Philharmonic and the Tonkünstler Orchestra Vienna, among others. Martijn is a regular guest conductor with orchestras such as the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale Bologna, the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and the Sinfonia Varsovia. From the 2024-2025 season, Dendievel will also be chief conductor of the Hofer Symphoniker.
FROM YOUNG LISTENER TO CHIEF CONDUCTOR
The choice of Martijn Dendievel by Flanders Symphony Orchestra came as no surprise. Growing up in Flanders, the orchestra has always played a key role in Dendievel's musical development: first as a young listener in the audience, then as an assistant conductor from 2018 and as an associate conductor from 2023. Over the past few years, the orchestra's musicians have seen him grow into a man with all the qualities to take over as chief conductor of Flanders Symphony Orchestra: motivated, sensitive, good-humoured and with an impressive musical depth.
Through the Flanders Symphony Orchestra talent development programmes, Dendievel has been able to grow into one of the best conductors of his generation. It is unique in the international orchestral world that an orchestra produces its own chief conductor.
"It is thanks to Flanders Symphony Orchestra 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 excited about the future with this orchestra.” - Martijn Dendievel
FIRST BELGIAN CHIEF CONDUCTOR IN 20 YEARS
Martijn Dendievel is the first Belgian in 20 years to be appointed to the prestigious post of chief conductor of a Belgian symphony orchestra. Orchestras often look beyond their own borders for their chief conductor. "Sometimes, however, the exceptional talents are close to home," says Flanders Symphony Orchestra.
"I consider Martijn to be one of the revelations of the international classical music world and am proud of his appointment as future chief conductor. Flanders Symphony Orchestra is in a state of transition. We are innovating our programming in order to increase our social impact. Martijn symbolises what the Flanders Symphony Orchestra wants to stand for: proud of its origins, approachable, ambitious, locally anchored but with an international reach. On the solid musical foundation laid by Kristiina Poska, Martijn can now continue to build".
- CEO Jos Roeden
“Since becoming the orchestra's Assistant Conductor and then Associate Conductor over five years ago, we have seen Martijn Dendievel grow as a conductor into the exceptionally strong musical personality that we believe makes him the outstanding future Chief Conductor of the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen. Together with the Board, I look forward to seeing where Martijn will take the orchestra in the coming years.”- President of the Board Geert Dhondt