Ryan Wigglesworth has been appointed Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra from the beginning of the 2022/23 season. He makes his debut in the new role on September 22, succeeding Thomas Dausgaard who continues in the post until then.

Wigglesworth has established himself as a leading composer-conductor-pianist of his generation. He was Principal Guest Conductor of the Hallé (2015-18) and Composer-in-Residence at ENO. As a composer, he has been affiliated with Cleveland Orchestra and the Grafenegg Festival. Conducting engagements have encompassed operas – including Birtwistle’s The Minotaur at Covent Garden, Turnage’s The Silver Tassie at the Barbican, and The Magic Flute at Glyndebourne – and also concerts with ensembles such as the Royal Concertgebouw, the Bergen Philharmonic, the CBSO and the LSO.

He began his relationship with the BBC SSO some time ago, having appeared with the orchestra in concerts at its home in City Halls and at the Aldeburgh Festival. They have also recorded together on a number of occasions, with repertoire including works by Bach, Mozart, Berlioz, Tippett, Knussen, Jolas, Saunders and Carter. A performance of Elgar’s Symphony No 1 at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall last year – the orchestra’s first public appearance with an audience since the pandemic – helped cement the relationship.

This coming weekend Wigglesworth conducts the orchestra as part of a weekend of live concerts to mark the BBC’s centenary, and he returns to City Halls in May to play and direct Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 12 and to conduct the world premiere of a new BBC commission from the orchestra’s Artist-in-Residence Jörg Widmann.

Laura Samuel, Leader of the BBC SSO, spoke for all the players when she acknowledged Wigglesworth’s ability to ‘embrace the orchestra with such generosity and sincerity’. The man himself was equally enthusiastic, praising ‘the wonderful and uniquely vibrant musicians of the BBC SSO’ before looking to the future: ‘I feel immensely privileged to be starting this journey,’ he said, ‘a journey which I hope will prove to be long, fruitful and ever adventurous.’