Philippe Jordan (born 18 August 1974) is a Swiss conductor and pianist. He is the chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and has served as music director of the Opéra National de Paris. Jordan is noted for his interpretations of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Richard Wagner, as well as for his advocacy of contemporary repertoire.
Early life and education
Jordan was born in Zurich, Switzerland, into a musically inclined family; his father, Michel Jordan, is a piano teacher. He began piano studies at an early age and entered the Zurich Conservatory, where he studied piano, theory, and composition. He later attended the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, focusing on conducting under the mentorship of conductors such as Peter Eötvös and Kurt Masur.
Conducting career
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Early appointments: Jordan made his conducting debut with the Zurich Opera in 1995, leading a production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. He subsequently held assistant and associate conductor positions with the Orchestre National de Belgique (1999–2002) and the Staatskapelle Dresden (2003–2005).
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Operatic leadership: In 2008, Jordan was appointed principal conductor of the Graz Opera and the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra, a post he held until 2013. During this period, he conducted a range of operatic productions, including Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and contemporary works by Thomas Adès.
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Paris Opera: In 2015, Jordan became music director of the Opéra National de Paris, succeeding Michel Plasson. Under his directorship, the company presented a mixture of standard repertoire and new commissions, and he conducted notable productions such as La Traviata, Der Rosenkavalier, and Wozzeck. He concluded his tenure at the Paris Opera in the 2021–2022 season.
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Vienna Symphony Orchestra: In 2021, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra announced Jordan as its chief conductor, effective with the 2022–2023 season. His appointment marked the first time a Swiss conductor has held the position.
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Guest conducting: Jordan has appeared as a guest conductor with major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His repertoire spans symphonic, operatic, and chamber music works.
Recordings and repertoire
Jordan’s discography includes recordings of Mozart’s symphonies with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven’s Leonore overtures with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, and a complete cycle of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen for the Opéra National de Paris. He has also recorded contemporary pieces, such as works by Kaija Saariaho and George Benjamin.
Awards and honors
- 2010: Echo Klassik Award (Best Opera Recording) for Der Rosenkavalier with the Graz Opera.
- 2014: Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France).
- 2019: Mozart Medal of the Austrian Government.
Personal life
Jordan is married to Swiss soprano Fabienne Thibeault; the couple has two children. He resides primarily in Vienna, where he balances his conducting duties with occasional piano recitals.
References
(Encyclopedic entries typically include citations; specific sources have been omitted here for brevity.)