Kent Nagano Appointed Honorary Conductor of the German Orchestra Würth Philharmoniker
First Concert on May 16, 2026 with Julian and Christoph Prégardien at the Carmen Würth Forum
Künzelsau, Germany, XX September 2025 – The Würth Philharmoniker are delighted to welcome internationally renowned conductor Kent Nagano as their Honorary Conductor beginning with the 2025/2026 season. With this special distinction, the orchestra pays tribute to the outstanding artistic collaboration and long-standing relationship with Kent Nagano. From now on, the Maestro will take the podium of the Würth Philharmoniker in Germany at least once per season.
Already in the upcoming season, a special concert entitled “Liedkunst und Sinfonik” is scheduled for May 16, 2026: Together with acclaimed singers Julian and Christoph Prégardien, Nagano will conduct songs by Franz Schubert in arrangements for voice and orchestra, as well as excerpts from stage works and Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in C major, D 944 “The Great,” at the Carmen Würth Forum.
Kent Nagano comments on his new role:
“Every encounter with the colleagues of the Würth Philharmoniker has been an enriching cultural experience for me. It is an honor to be part of the humanitarian vision of Professor Dr. Reinhold Würth and his wife Carmen Würth.”
C. Sylvia Weber, Director of Culture at Würth, emphasizes the special shared history:
“From the very beginning, the Würth Philharmoniker and Kent Nagano have had a unique connection – he conducted the Würth Philharmoniker at their very first concert in 2017, just days after the opening of the Carmen Würth Forum, and thus became an inseparable part of the orchestra’s history. Since then, we have repeatedly had the pleasure of welcoming him to the podium in Künzelsau, a collaboration always marked by palpable joy in music-making. We are very pleased that this connection has now been officially recognized in such a wonderful way and that our audience will be able to experience Kent Nagano with us in Künzelsau even more regularly in the future.”
The extraordinary commitment of Professor Dr. Reinhold Würth and the Würth Group to culture shapes the region far beyond Hohenlohe. The founding of the Würth Philharmoniker in 2017, the Carmen Würth Forum, and the support of numerous artistic projects are expressions of this sustainable cultural vision.
Kent Nagano (b. 1951 in Berkeley, California) is considered one of the most important conductors of our time. He has served as General Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg, Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Bavarian State Opera. He is Artistic Director of the Wagner Cycles, artistic partner of the Toscanini Orchestra starting this season, and designated Chief Conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra. For his recordings and commitment to contemporary music, he has received numerous awards, including several Grammys and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Würth Philharmoniker are based at the Carmen Würth Forum in Künzelsau in Germany and have been captivating audiences since their founding in 2017 with a wide-ranging repertoire and exceptional sound quality. Under the direction of Chief Conductor Claudio Vandelli and with international guest conductors, the orchestra has quickly established an excellent reputation and regularly performs in Europe’s most prestigious concert halls.
Editor’s Note:
The concert “Art Song and Symphony” with Kent Nagano, Julian and Christoph Prégardien will take place on May 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Carmen Würth Forum.
Tickets and further information are available at www.wuerth-philharmoniker.de.
© Lyodoh Kaneko