Gavin Maloney Reappointed as Associate Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra

Reappointed 2025–2028 following 2022–2025 tenure

RTÉ today announced that Gavin Maloney has been reappointed as Associate Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for the next three years, following his initial 2022–2025 tenure.

Gavin Maloney’s next appearances as Associate Principal Conductor will be conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for Classical Greats – Grieg and Schubert in the NCH on 23rd October and Sunday Miscellany Celebrates Christmas on 2nd December.

Maloney is one of Ireland’s foremost musicians, equally at home in the worlds of classical, contemporary and popular music. He has a track record of success with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra across a range of genres and events. Highlights of their work together across the last three years include The Songs of Leonard Cohen: A 90th Birthday Celebration in the 3Arena last year, sold-out Sunday Miscellany Celebrates Christmas concerts in the NCH each December, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with John O’Conor in March of this year. Other highlights of Maloney’s work with the orchestra include the world premiere of Room with live score at the NCH and the recent RTÉ 2fm Breakfast Live performance.

Gavin trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Mozarteum, Salzburg. At the age of 21 he successfully competed for the position of Assistant Conductor of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (now National Symphony Orchestra Ireland). He was the inaugural beneficiary of the Bryden Thomson Trust, through whose support he studied at the Danish National Opera and the Lucerne Festival Academy of Pierre Boulez. He has conducted all the leading orchestras and ensembles in Ireland as well as conducting in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK.

His distinguished collaborations with classical artists include Gabriela Montero, Tara Erraught, Barry Douglas, Ailish Tynan, John O’Conor, Chloë Hanslip and Hugh Tinney. In the NCH International Concert Series in 2017, he appeared with Maxim Vengerov, who has described him as ‘a great maestro’.

Popular artists Gavin has collaborated with include Declan O’Rourke, Lisa Hannigan, Wallis Bird, Loah, Mick Flannery, Phelim Drew, Jess Kavanagh and Denise Chaila. He has worked with traditional musicians such as Liam O’Flynn, Paddy Moloney, Zoë Conway and Iarla Ó Lionáird and has a track record of bringing Irish music to new audiences around the country. Last Christmas, he conducted Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Angeline Ball and Shobsy at the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Dublin Simon Sing for Simon charity concert.

Gavin’s recordings, on the NMC and lyric fm labels, have earned critical acclaim, including that of Gramophone magazine. His live recording of Nicola LeFanu’s Threnody (NMC) was recently released. Gavin has worked closely with Crash Ensemble and the EQ Ensemble, and for three years he directed the RTÉ NSO’s signature contemporary music series, Horizons. His ballet credits include Swan Lake with Ireland’s national ballet company. His concerts have

been broadcast by the BBC, RTÉ, the European Broadcasting Union, Shanghai East Radio, and radio stations in North America and Australia.

Commenting on the reappointment, Gavin Maloney said:
“It gives me great pleasure to continue my journey with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in my capacity as Associate Principal Conductor. The orchestra and I have gone from strength to strength in recent years, reaching diverse audiences through a diversity of repertoire. I delight in making music with these exceptional musicians, and I greatly appreciate the energy and dedication of the orchestra and management team. I’m excited to share the next chapter in our relationship with audiences near and far”

Acting General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Andrew Smith, said:
“I’m delighted that the RTÉ Concert Orchestra is continuing its relationship with Gavin Maloney. Together we have enjoyed tackling such a wide variety of genres over the last three years – highlights for me just this year have included great works such as Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, new works such as the world première of Ed Bennett’s Piano Concerto and charming miniatures such as a magical performance of Elgar’s The Snow with the Pro Cathedral Girls’ Choir. Roll on our next National Concert Hall appearance together with Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Schubert’s 9th Symphony, ‘The Great’”