Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (GSO; Swedish: Göteborgs Symfoniker) is Sweden’s symphony orchestra based in Gothenburg. It performs at the Gothenburg Concert Hall on Götaplatsen and was named Sweden's National Orchestra in 1997. The orchestra began in 1905, with Heinrich Hammer as its first principal conductor; Wilhelm Stenhammar led from 1907 to 1922, and Sibelius and Nielsen often conducted as guests. After ups and downs, its profile rose under Neeme Järvi from 1982 to 2004, with Volvo sponsorship and a Deutsche Grammophon recording contract; he is now Principal Conductor Emeritus. Gustavo Dudamel led the GSO from 2007 to 2012 and is now honorary conductor. Notable figures as principal guest conductors include Norman del Mar and Christian Zacharias; Kent Nagano served as principal guest conductor and artistic advisor from the 2013–2014 season for three years. Santtu-Matias Rouvali first guest-conducted in 2014, became chief conductor in 2017–2018, and his contract was extended to 2025 before he will step down after the 2024–2025 season. Barbara Hannigan has been principal guest conductor since 2019, the first woman in the post, with a contract through 2028. In October 2024 Pekka Kuusisto was named additional principal guest conductor starting in 2025–2026, alongside Hannigan. The ensemble has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon and BIS.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 10:53 (CET).