Paavo Järvi (Estonian pronunciation:[ˈpɑːʋoˈjærʋi]; born 30 December 1962) is an Estonian-American conductor. He has been chief conductor of Zurich's Tonhalle since 2020.
Järvi is the founder and artistic director of both the Pärnu Music Festival and the Estonian Festival Orchestra. Järvi first guest-conducted the Tonhalle Orchestra in 2009, and returned in December 2016.[5] In May 2017, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich announced the appointment of Järvi as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of five years. In December 2022, the orchestra announced an extension of Järvi's contract as its chief conductor through the 2028-2029 season.[6]
Outside of Europe, in June 2012, the NHK Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Järvi as its chief conductor, beginning in the 2015–2016 season, with an initial contract of three years,[7] which was extended a further three years to 2021. In November 2019, the NHK Symphony announced an extension of his contract through August 2022,[8] at which time he stood down as its chief conductor.[9]
Järvi has recorded for such labels as RCA, Deutsche Grammophon, PENTATONE, Telarc, ECM, BIS and Virgin Records. His Virgin Classics recording of Sibelius Cantatas with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Male Choir and Ellerhein Girls Choir won a Grammy Award for "Best Choral Performance".
Personal life
Järvi has two daughters, Lea and Ingrid, from his past marriage to the violinist Tatiana Berman.[10] Järvi was featured in the documentary Maestro, directed by David Donnelly. He became an American citizen in 1985.[1]