RALF KIRCHER - conductor

Ralf Kircher began his 2008 season conducting several performances of Johann Strauss' operetta “Die Fledermaus” together with the KOKKOLA WEST COAST OPERA COMPANY in Helsinki – this successful cooperation led immediately to an invitation to take part in next year’s production of “Lulu” by Alban Berg which will also be recorded for the Finnish television.

In November 2007 Kircher performed the World Premiére of “A Ball at Prince Orlowsky’s” together with highly acclaimed Finnish singers and the KUOPIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. To this production he contributed also as script co-writer, composer and arranger.

At the same time Ralf Kircher also appeared with the SWEDISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, conducting a recording for the Swedish television, as well as preparing the orchestra for the concert performance of G. Mahler’s ninth symphony under the baton of Valery Gergejev.

During the last season he also made a very successful debut with the BRUCKNER ORCHESTER LINZ in a program of works by Sibelius, Mozart and Schmidt. The press praised “a brilliant Bruckner orchestra under the baton of Ralf Kircher… his interpretation established big romantic bows and gestures, filled with magic of sounds. It seemed tender and passionate, impressive and persuasive, colourful and intense.”

Other past engagements in Austria include performances with the KÄRNTNER SINFONIE ORCHESTER in Klagenfurt, in a program featuring music of Webern, Brahms and Bartok (this concert was broadcast in Austria by ORF Austrian Radio), as well as a première performance of Berlioz' “La Damnation de Faust”, Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri” at the STADTTHEATER KLAGENFURT, and concerts with the Austrian based chamber orchestra SPIRIT OF EUROPE.

In November 2004, the Ralf Kircher was awarded the CHIVAS BATON CONDUCTORS AWARD, for outstanding contributions in the field of music and conducting in Europe, and joined in June 2005 the SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA on its Highland tour in Scotland.

Ralf Kircher has been conducting Finlands leading orchestras, among them the FINNISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, LAHTI SYMPHONY, TURKU PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, OULU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, etc.

He made his Swedish debut with the HELSINGBORGS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in November 2004 in two concerts, and then joined the orchestra on tour in Sweden. He returned to Sweden in January 2006 to conduct the GÄVLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

Ralf Kircher, also conducted the world première of Leif Segerstam´s 101 Symphony with the TAIPEI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA at the 2,500 seat National Concert of Taiwan in September 2004, and additionally cooperated with Maestro Leif Segerstam for a concert at the WARSAW AUTUMN COTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL in Poland.

Mr. Kircher made his Central European opera debut in Prague at the PRAGUE NATIONAL THEATRE, successfully stepping in for the season premiere of J. Adam’s opera “The Death of Klinghoffer” in October 2003.

With the FINNISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA he has appeared in several nation-wide radio broadcast performances. One of this concerts was also broadcast throughout Australia in May 2003 by ABC Radio [Australian Broadcasting Corporation], as well as Austria by ORF Austria. He has also joined this orchestra for a nation-wide television broadcast from Finlandia Hall [Helsinki] performing works of Johann Strauß.

Mr. Kircher also recorded frequently with the FINNISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA during the last years - opera arias by Wagner, Adams and Leoncavallo, songs by G. Mahler (with some of Finland´s leading baritones), various orchestra works by Finnish composers, music for TV productions, and jazz arrangements for symphony orchestra of music by Thelonius Monk.

His relationship and association with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra is best summed up by the words of the orchestras present chief conductor Sakari Oramo [also past Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra], "He has the warmest support from his colleague musicians and the whole Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra team for his thoroughly musical approach, effective rehearsing manner and abilities in dealing with the psychological aspects of conducting."

Ralf Kircher has appeared for the Norwegian Radio - ALL CLASSICAL program, conducting the NORWEGIAN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA performing works of Webern, Berg and Brahms - the concert was broadcast live throughout Norway by Norwegian Radio. He also conducted the MARIBOR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA in Slovenia in a program featuring works of Webern and Bruckner, a concert which was broadcast live by Slovenian RADIO.

Ralf Kircher also participated in Wagner´s “Tristan und Isolde” at the 2002 SAVONLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL with Leif Segerstam and was re-invited to join this production again in summer 2003.

He also took part in the FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA´s production of Strauss´ opera “Arabella” and J. Adams opera “The Death of Klinghoffer”. This is what ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA former chief Sian Edwards had to say: "He is a sound and practical musician, with good ears and a clear understanding of the orchestra. I highly recommend him to any orchestra throughout the world."

He conducted the World Première of the Finnish opera “Sulka” [Feather] by Tapani Länsiö, during the 2001 Helsinki MUSICA NOVA FESTIVAL at the FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA Almi Hall. Kircher later on returned to the Finnish National Opera to participate in a renewed production of Adams' “Death of Klinghoffer” and Mozart's “Entführung aus dem Serail”.

He has also recorded the works of Mozart and Strauß with the SCHÖNBRUNNER SCHLOSSORCHESTER (Image label), and a CD with excerpts of “Die Fledermaus” with a chamber orchestra consisting of members out of the WIENER SYMPHONIKER (Mediartis label).

Apart from being an active conductor, Ralf Kircher has also frequently appeared as a percussion soloist: among others, for Austrian Radio ORF, in a live broadcast concert at the Grosser Sendesaal des ORF, with the NIEDERÖSTERREICHISCHES TONKÜNSTLERORCHESTER (Horst Ebenhöh “Konzert für drei Schlagzeuger”), in the SAAL DES WIENER MUSIKVEREINS (Theodor Berger “Concerto manuale”), as well as in the FINNISH NATIONAL THEATRE (featuring own compositions).

Kircher used to play in countless concerts and on innumerable tours with some of Austria´s leading orchestras, Wiener Philharmoniker, Wiener Symphoniker, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Radiosinfonieorchester Wien, and Niederösterreichisches Tonküstlerorchester. He has also appeared with the Wiener Solisten (members of Vienna Philharmonic), Wiener Hofkapelle (members of Vienna Philharmonic), Wiener Klangforum, Wiener Kammerorchester, and many other leading ensembles.


Ralf Kircher studied at the UNIVERSITÄT FÜR MUSIK in Vienna; composition with H. Gattermeyer, orchestral conducting with Karl Österrreicher, choral conducting with Günther Theuring, piano accompaniment with H. Goertz, and percussion. In 1994 he was awarded his diploma with the Highest Distinction, and was presented an AWARD OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS by the Austrian Bundesminister für Unterricht und Kunst. In 1998 he joined the renown conducting class at the SIBELIUS ACADEMY in Helsinki of Leif Segerstam, with whom he remained for three years, obtaining his conducting diploma with Distinguished Grades, as well as having been awarded the title of Master of Music.

(February 2008)