2 February 2026
Conductor Christian Reif set to make Australian debut with AYO
When GRAMMY Award-winning conductor Christian Reif steps onto the podium to lead the Australian Youth Orchestra at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl this month, it will mark a special return to a country he first fell in love with as a teenager.
“As a teenager, I took part in a student exchange and spent three months in Melbourne – a formative experience that has stayed with me ever since,” said Reif, who will be leading the 2026 AYO flagship orchestra in the Fire and Fantasy concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 11 February. “I’m really looking forward to spending time again in this wonderful city, reconnecting with my host family, enjoying the incredible food scene, and, of course, having great coffee! It feels wonderful to return now in a professional capacity.”
Set to make his Australian conducting debut, Reif is heading to Australia from Sweden where he is Chief Conductor of the Gävle Symphony Orchestra to lead the orchestra in a program as bold and imaginative as the young artists performing it. The concert features Daniel Nelson’s Steampunk Blizzard, Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour, Nobuo Uematsu’s Final Fantasy IX Suite, and Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1945).
When he received the invitation to collaborate with AYO, Reif said he was “immediately excited.” “I always love working with students – their energy, curiosity, and sense of possibility are incredibly inspiring,” he said.
“The idea of creating a program that embraces the epic and imaginative musical world of gaming music, alongside contemporary and ‘canonic’ orchestral repertoire, felt fresh and relevant.”
Christian Reif
For Reif, rehearsing with young musicians is not only about preparing for performance but also about nurturing artistry and collaboration.
“My goal is always to develop a clear, convincing, and expressive performance of each piece,” he said. “That process involves finding a unified orchestral sound, while also encouraging freedom, character, and individual responsibility within the group. Listening is central – understanding one’s role within the musical texture, knowing when to lead and when to support.”
Reif will be working alongside the 80 musicians in an intensive week-long project of rehearsals and tutorials in Melbourne, ahead of the concert which is being presented by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as part of its Sidney Myer Free Concert series.
Reif values the space youth orchestra projects create for exploring fundamentals that can sometimes be overlooked in the professional world.
“With young musicians, we can take the time to discuss the building blocks of orchestral playing – things that don’t always fit into the tight timelines of professional rehearsals.”
Speaking about the repertoire, Reif highlights the distinctive voices of each composer: “Each of these pieces has a distinct sound world, but they’re unified by the drive and rhythmic energy they possess – some of which is quite intricate and surprising,” he said. “Each composer also uses the orchestral colours in different and imaginative ways.”
Among the many moments he’s looking forward to, Reif is most drawn to the contrasts. “I’m especially excited by the moments of power and drama alongside intimacy and stillness,” he said.
As for what audiences can expect, Reif hopes the concert will leave them inspired by both the music and the musicians.
“I hope they will enjoy the fairytale storytelling, the energy of this music, and the inspiring attitude and passionate playing of the next generation of Australian orchestral talent.”
