The conductor and cellist succeeds Julian Rachlin as the JSO prepares for its 90th season following a period of financial uncertainty.
The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has appointed Dmitry Yablonsky as its new Music Director and Chief Conductor, beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The appointment follows the departure of Julian Rachlin, who stepped down in July after three seasons as Music Director. Rachlin had taken up the position in 2023 and led the orchestra through a period that included its first international tour under his leadership in 2025.
Yablonsky takes over as the JSO approaches its 90th season and after the orchestra faced serious financial difficulties earlier this year.
A change of leadership at a difficult moment
Before leaving the orchestra, Rachlin had publicly appealed for emergency financial support for the JSO, warning that the institution required $2 million to secure its future.
His departure was announced the following month. The orchestra thanked Rachlin for his leadership during what it described as exceptionally difficult years, highlighting his commitment to the ensemble during the war and his work on its international development.
The JSO has not linked Rachlin’s departure directly to its financial difficulties.
Rachlin’s tenure formally ran from 2023 to 2026. He remains Chief Conductor of Norway’s Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Herbstgold Festival in Eisenstadt.
A familiar figure in Jerusalem
Yablonsky, 63, arrives as a musician already closely acquainted with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. The JSO described him as an “old friend” and a long-standing professional collaborator, pointing to a relationship developed through numerous projects over the years.
Born in Moscow into a musical family, Yablonsky trained as a cellist before developing a parallel career as a conductor. After emigrating to the United States in 1977, he studied at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music and Yale University.
His conducting career has included appearances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, where he served as Principal Guest Conductor from 2000 to 2004. He has also made more than 80 recordings as conductor and cellist.
Yablonsky has strong ties to Israel and teaches at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University.
The appointment comes as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra prepares to unveil its 2026-27 programme. The season will mark the orchestra’s 90th, with details expected to be released shortly.
The JSO said it was looking forward to a “fruitful collaboration” with Yablonsky as it begins its next season under new artistic leadership.
Subscribe to our newsletter