CONDUCTOR: Eric Jacobsen

Already well-established as one of classical music’s most exciting andinnovative young conductors, Eric Jacobsen combines fresh interpretations of the traditional canon with cutting-edge collaborations across musical genres. Hailed by the New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” Eric, as both a conductor and a cellist, has built a reputation forengaging audiences with innovative and collaborative programming.

Eric joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as Music Director in 2021,being named the twelfth music director in the orchestra’s 100+ yearhistory. The robust season ahead looks forward to a World Premiere byReena Esmail written for Orli and Gil Shaham, as well as Anna Clyne’sDANCE with Jan Vogler.

Eric was named Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in2015, as he continues to pioneer the orchestra’s programming and community engagement in new and exciting directions. Eric was also recently named the Principal Guest Conductor of the Classical Tahoe Musical Festival.

Eric is also artistic director and co-founder of The Knights, the uniquelyadventurous NYC-based chamber orchestra. The ensemble, founded withhis brother, violinist Colin Jacobsen, grew out of late-night music readingparties with friends, good food and drink, and conversation. Current endeavors include a multi-year Rhapsody project as well as a residency atCarnegie Hall. Under Jacobsen’s baton, The Knights have developed an extensive recording collection, including albums with longtimecollaborators Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Aaron Diehl, Gabe Kahane, and Anna Clyne.

Eric’s musical life started from a very young age surrounded by a musicalfamily, where he discovered his love of pulling a bow across a string as a 
cellist. He and his brother founded the string quartet Brooklyn Rider andalso performed regularly with Yo-Yo Ma as a member of Silkroad, touringaround the world. This collaborative spirit and sense of music is somethingthat Eric strives to bring to every concert and project.

A frequent guest conductor, Eric has established continuing relationshipswith the Colorado Symphony, Detroit Symphony, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and the Dresden Musikfestspiele. Recent and upcoming engagements also include concerts with the Chicago Symphony,Philadelphia Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony,Grant Park Music Festival, Utah Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony. 

Eric brings joy, storytelling, and a touch of humor to what he describes as“musical conversations” that delight audiences around the world,including those who do not traditionally attend classical music concerts.Jacobsen is married to Grammy-Winner singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovanand together they have a daughter.