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«Meet the artist» Fabien Gabel

Artist portrait

Published: 15/05/2025

Fabien Gabel will lead the Tonkunstler Orchestra as chief conductor for the first time at this year's Midsummer Night's Gala on June 19th: On the summer solstice, he will take over from Yutaka Sado, whose successful ten-year tenure is coming to an end.

He continues with «Die Macht der Liebe» on August 2nd, where he will take a look at the south-west of Europe with the Tonkunstler Orchestra and Xavier de Maistre on the harp in the final concert of the «Summer Sounds» series.

At the opening concert of the Grafenegg Festival on August 14th, Fabien Gabel and «his» orchestra will climb to the summit of music history with Richard Strauss' «Alpine Symphony».

To get to know the French conductor better in advance, we asked him 5 questions about his musical career and his new career stage!

«The Tonkunstler Orchestra has the ability to perform all kinds of repertoire. Being a curious person, I’m very eager to explore new and sometimes different repertoire together with the musicians.»

Fabien Gabel

5 Questions to Fabien Gabel

You started your musical career at the age of six by learning to play the trumpet.

How did you find your way from playing the trumpet to conducting, and what were the key moments that influenced your decision to become a conductor?

I was quickly fascinated by the work of an orchestral musician, and then I began to observe the conductors I worked with – especially the most eminent ones like Pierre Boulez and Bernard Haitink. I started to take a serious interest in conducting around the age of 25 and eventually took the leap by conducting a small ensemble.

Whether it’s the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, or the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra – you have conducted numerous orchestras around the world during your international career.

How do you approach working with different orchestras, and what is particularly important to you?

My approach is always the same: I try to serve the music I am conducting with as much integrity as possible. However, I take different traditions into account and strive to be flexible. I would say I always try my best to find the ideal sound according to the orchestra in front of me.

«I always try my best to find the ideal sound according to the orchestra in front of me.»

Fabien Gabel

Together with the Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, you recorded the film music for Abel Gance’s silent epic Napoleon.

How did you manage to bring its historical significance to life musically?

The artistic and musical director of the soundtrack did an extraordinary job choosing the right repertoire for each scene – the film is seven hours long! I had to adapt my musical approach to the film’s scenography and, of course, to the timing of each scene.

You first came to Grafenegg in 1996 with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and have performed here numerous times since.

What has connected you to this place ever since, and what makes the musical experience here unique for you?

The setting is simply magical, even enchanting! Coming to Grafenegg takes me back almost 35 years, to a rather innocent age when decisions are just being made or confirmed. Am I nostalgic? A little! But above all, I am always very happy to return. Back then, the concert halls didn’t even exist – which makes today’s experience all the more exciting.

«The setting is simply magical, even enchanting! [...] I am always very happy to return.»

Fabien Gabel

The Midsummer Night’s Gala on June 19, 2025, in Grafenegg will be your first concert as Chief Conductor of the Tonkunstler Orchestra.

What are you most looking forward to at this new stage in your career?

The orchestra has the ability to perform all kinds of repertoire. Being a curious person, I’m very eager to explore new and sometimes different repertoire together with the musicians.

Fabien Gabel's Selection

Are you curious to find out which music particularly inspires Fabien Gabel? In his playlist, he presents his favourite works and explains what they mean to him.

Which music has particularly influenced you as a musician and has accompanied you on your musical path?

French music in particular – I was fortunate to have teachers who had known and worked with some of our great 20th-century composers. My first teacher had played under the baton of Ravel and Felix Weingartner! Another link between France and Austria!