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Maestro John Axelrod is a celebrated international conductor whose dynamic interpretations, intellectual curiosity, and charismatic energy have distinguished his career for nearly three decades. As he approaches his 60th birthday and 30th career anniversary in 2026, he is celebrated for his profound musical depth and innovative programming across a vast repertoire, from core classics to contemporary and crossover works.

 

His leadership is recognized through prestigious titled positions. Since 2022, he has served as Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and President of the Jury of the Bucharest Conducting Academy. In 2024, he was appointed Esteemed Guest Professor of the Tokyo College of Music. His previous roles include Artistic and Musical Director of the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla (2014-2020), Principal Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra (2004-2009), and Music Director of l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (2009-2013), among others.

 

A frequent guest on the world’s most prominent podiums, Maestro Axelrod has conducted nearly 200 orchestras, including the Berlin Radio Symphony, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Filarmonica della Scala, NHK Symphony, and, in the U.S., the Chicago Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His opera engagements span productions at Teatro alla Scala, Teatro la Fenice, the Rome Opera, and the Puccini Festival.

 

His commitment to music extends beyond the podium. A dedicated educator, he founded Conductors Masterclass Online (CMO) during the pandemic.

 

Axelrod’s discography is extensive, with recordings for labels such as Sony Classical, Warner Classics, and Naxos. His 2023 Orchid Classics release, Schumann 41/51: Florestan and Eusebius with the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, was nominated for an International Classical Music Award for its innovative presentation of both versions of Schumann’s Fourth Symphony.

 

Mentored by Leonard Bernstein and Christoph Eschenbach, Axelrod maintains a strong commitment to nurturing young musicians, regularly working with youth orchestras across Europe and Japan. A graduate of Harvard University, he also studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory with Ilya Musin, laying the foundation for a multifaceted and enduring career dedicated to the power of music.