Thomas Søndergård


Thomas Søndergård

Born in Holstebro, Denmark, on October 4th, 1969, Thomas Søndergård is an internationally recognised conductor and percussionist known for his broad repertoire and natural, unpretentious style. He is currently Music Director of both the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Søndergård began his career as a percussionist with the Royal Danish Orchestra before focussing his attention primarily on conducting. Following an acclaimed debut with the Royal Danish Opera in 2005, he has appeared regularly with leading orchestras and opera companies across Europe and the United States including the London Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin State Opera. His first Principal Conductorship came with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in 2009.

In July 2011, having conducted the orchestra as a last-minute substitute 18 months previous, Søndergård was announced as the next Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBCNOW), commencing at the start of the 2012 - 2013 season. At the same time, he also began an initial three year tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Søndergård concluded his successful six-year tenure with the BBCNOW in July 2018 with a commanding performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at the BBC Proms. He took on the role of Music Director with the RSNO at the start of the 2018 - 2019 season and has served as Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra since 2023.

Much-admired in his home country, Søndergård was decorated with a prestigious Royal Order of Chivalry - the Order of Dannebrog - by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in January 2022. He also received the Carl Nielsen and Anne-Marie Carl Nielsen Foundation Honorary Award in 2023 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Danish musical life.

Upcoming UK Concerts

Royal Scottish National Orchestra @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Friday 21 February 2025, 19:30
  • Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 9
Royal Scottish National Orchestra @ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 22 February 2025, 19:30
  • Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 9