Alumnus Yuval Weinberg appointed new Chief Conductor of the Rundfunkchor Berlin
Israeli conductor and Eisler alumnus Yuval Weinberg will become chief conductor and artistic director of the Rundfunkchor Berlin starting in the 2028/29 season. The 35-year-old has been chief conductor of the SWR Vocal Ensemble since 2020/21 and succeeds Gijs Leenaars, who has shaped the renowned ensemble since 2015. Weinberg made his debut with the Rundfunkchor Berlin at the Christmas concert in Berlin Cathedral in December 2024.
Born in Tel Aviv, the conductor first studied orchestral conducting at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music and then choral conducting at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin with Prof. Jörg-Peter Weigle and at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo with Prof. Grete Pedersen.
From 2019 to 2023, he directed the European Youth Choir, and from 2019 to 2021, he was principal guest conductor of the Norske Solistkor, whose artistic director he will become in fall 2026. He gained international experience with ensembles such as the Bavarian Radio Choir, Chorwerk Ruhr, and Cappella Amsterdam. As a choir coach, he has prepared choirs for conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Herbert Blomstedt, Gustavo Dudamel, and Teodor Currentzis. He has realized numerous world premieres of new choral and vocal music and works closely with contemporary composers. He has received several awards for his work, including the Diapason d'or and the German Record Critics' Award.
Yuval Weinberg regularly gives masterclasses at international festivals such as Europa Cantat, Choralies, and the Marktoberdorf Chamber Choir Festival, as well as at music academies throughout Europe.