Estonian-born and American-raised conductor Kristjan Järvi is noted for his fresh musical ideas, charisma and technical prowess. Recently appointed music director of the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, he begins his tenure there during the 2012-13 season. As a guest conductor, he appears regularly with the London Symphony Orchestra, and he has also led such ensembles as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, Orchestre de Paris, Sydney Symphony, NHK Symphony of Japan, and National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, DC.

A champion of new music, he has sought the commission of more than 100 new works. He is active in music education projects and is the founding conductor and music director of the Baltic Youth Philharmonic. Among his additional titles are artistic advisor to the Basel Chamber Orchestra, and founder and music director of New York's Absolute Ensemble. He has made 30 albums, including a recently released disc of Arvo Pärt works, recorded with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has been honored with a Swedish Grammy, a German Record Critics Prize for Best Album and a Grammy nomination. More: imgartists.com, kristjanjarvi.com.