Yuval Weinberg

Since the 2020/2021 season, Yuval Weinberg has been chief conductor of the SWR Vocal Ensemble. In his inaugural concert in November 2020, he set the tone for the coming years, with a focus on key works from the 20th and 21st centuries, innovative concert formats in unusual venues and expansion of the ensemble's online activities. Weinberg strives to make choral music, including contemporary works, more accessible to a wider audience through creative approaches.

Weinberg began vocal music at an early age, joining a children's and youth choir at the age of eight. After high school and military service in Israel, he pursued vocal and conducting studies in Tel Aviv. His artistic development was further shaped by influential mentors such as Jörg-Peter Weigle in Berlin and Grete Pedersen in Oslo. Weinberg has won several prestigious awards, including the Special Jury Prize in St. Petersburg (2013), the First Prize in Wrocław (2014), and the Gary Bertini Prize for Young Conductors (2015 and 2016).

From 2015 to 2017, he was the principal soloist with the Oslo Chamber Choir NOVA and the National Youth Choir of Norway. Since 2019, he has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Norske Solistkor and Artistic Director of the EuroChoir. Weinberg made his debut with the SWR Vocal Ensemble in 2018, after which he was chosen by the members as their future principal conductor. His leadership is characterized by musical expertise, youthful energy and the ability to inspire his ensembles.