Alexandra Knight

Artist Manager
+44 (0) 7515 879 123
alexandra@knightclassical.com

Johan Pieters

Artist Services Manager
johan@knightclassical.com

Knight Classical represents Andris Poga in the United Kingdom & Ireland.

Andris Poga

Conductor
Chief Conductor, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Artistic Advisor, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra

Highlights

Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Gewandhaus-Orchester Leipzig
hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo
Opéra National du Capitôle de Toulouse
Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI
Orchestre National de France
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
SWR Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Wiener Symphoniker

Video

#CriticsChoice
#spotlight
Sergei Prokofiev – Overture on Hebrew Themes op. 34 with WDR Symphony Orchestra
Shostakovich – Chamber Symphony op. 83 with WDR Symphony Orchestra
Irgens-Jensen – Bols vise with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Tchaikovsky – Roméo and Juliet (fantasy overture) with Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

Biography

A highly respected and swiftly rising star on the international stage, Andris Poga is widely praised for his “outstanding technique” (Le Figaro), and his “precision, serenity, and elegance” as a conductor (ResMusica) .

Following studies in Latvia and Vienna, Poga first burst on to the international scene in 2010, when he took First Prize at the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition, Paris.  From there, he went on to become the Assistant Conductor at two of the world’s most prestigious orchestras: the Orchestre de Paris (2011-2014), where he worked closely with Music Director Paavo Järvi, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (2012-2014).

Since then, Poga’s career has only continued its brilliant upward trajectory.  He obtained his first Music Directorship (of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra) in 2013, which he held until 2021 before transitioning to the role of Artistic Advisor.  In 2019, Poga was announced as Chief Conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (Norway): a role which he commenced at the start of the 2021/2022 season and continues to the present day. Read More

Throughout his tenures at the head of these orchestras, Poga has been praised for his unique ability to reveal the piercing truth of music – a skill he displays with outstanding technical prowess and artistic finesse in concerts that completely absorb audiences, drawing them deep into a fiery and expansive sound world rarely heard in the 21st century.

As well as possessing a diverse and extensive repertoire, Poga is a passionate champion of the music of his homeland.  To that end, with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra he has committed to record an impressive number of works by underrepresented Latvian composers, such as Volfgangs Dārziņš, Jānis Ivanovs, Juris Karlsons (Skani), and Tlivaldis eni (Ondine) – all to exceptional critical acclaim.

As a guest conductor, Poga works regularly with the leading orchestras of Europe – including the Danish National Symphony, Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI TurinOrchestre National de FranceOslo Philharmonic, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – and also leads extensive touring projects, such as with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France & Evgeny KissinIn the Far East, his star is also rising swiftly, with recent and forthcoming highlights including visits to such orchestras as the Hong Kong PhilharmonicNHK Symphony Orchestra TokyoShanghai Symphony, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Additionally, Poga enjoys a particularly strong profile in the Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.  Amongst the many orchestras with whom he enjoys an ongoing relationship in these territories are the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester BerlinDresdner PhilharmonieGewandhaus-Orchester LeipzigMunich Philharmonic OrchestraNDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester HamburgSWR Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Tonhalle-Orchester ZürichWDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, and the Wiener Symphoniker.

Born in Riga in 1980, Poga studied the trumpet and conducting at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.  He went on to undertake postgraduate studies in conducting at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, and a degree in Philosophy from the University of Latvia.

When not travelling, Andris Poga spends his time at home in Riga, Latvia.

Reviews

“Andris Poga leads his troops with precision, serenity, and elegance. His heartbreakingly resonant interpretation completely absorbs the hall, drawing the audience deep into the dark colours of mourning.”
ResMusica

“Shostakovich’s First Symphony shines with cruel beauty and blinding clarity. Andris Poga does not polish any angle, does not suggest any drama – he simply strips the violent truth of this revolutionary fire that can only carry us away.”
Utismol.fr

“Andris Poga achieved a lightness and transparency in Mozart worthy of any period-instrument performance, followed by a satisfying Brahmsian fullness, favouring warmth and colour over musical drama.”
The Financial Times

“Under the baton of Latvian conductor Andris Poga, the orchestra was impressive – wonderfully expansive and unhurried.”
South China Morning Post

“Remember the name of Andris Poga. He will continue to impress us!”
Diapason

2023

“Andris Poga displayed a natural, overwhelming presence, with an outstanding technique, a fantastic arm, and tireless energy.”
Le Figaro