Yan Pascal Tortelier enjoys a distinguished career as guest conductor of the world’s most prestigious orchestras. He began his musical career as a violinist and, at fourteen, won first prize for violin at the Paris Conservatoire, making his soloist debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra shortly afterward. Following general musical studies with Nadia Boulanger, Tortelier studied conducting with Franco Ferrara at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena.

This season, Yan Pascal Tortelier continues as Chief Conductor of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra with whom he has built a very special relationship in this role during recent seasons. Former positions have included Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Ulster Orchestra (1989-1992) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (2005-2008). He was also Principal Conductor of the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra from 2009-2011. Following his outstanding work as Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic between 1992 and 2003, including annual appearances at the BBC Proms and a very successful tour of the US to celebrate the orchestra’s 60th anniversary season, he was given the title of Conductor Emeritus and continues to work and record with the orchestra regularly. Yan Pascal Tortelier also holds the position of Principal Guest Conductor at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Following a concert at Buenos Aires’ Teatro Colon in August 2018, Tortelier opens the Iceland Symphony Orchestra’s season, before returning to the US for concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Other season highlights include return appearances with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent highlights have also included appearances in North America and Canada with the Pittsburgh, Dallas, Montreal, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Baltimore symphony orchestras.