Already well-established as one of classical music’s most exciting and innovative young conductors, Eric Jacobsen combines fresh interpretations of the traditional canon with cutting-edge collaborations across musical genres. Hailed by the New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” Eric, as both a conductor and a cellist, has built a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and collaborative programming.
Eric joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as Music Director in 2021, being named the twelfth music director in the orchestra’s 100+ year history. The robust season ahead looks forward to a World Premiere by Reena Esmail written for Orli and Gil Shaham, as well as Anna Clyne’s DANCE with Jan Vogler.
Eric was named Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015, as he continues to pioneer the orchestra’s programming and community engagement in new and exciting directions. Eric was also recently named the Principal Guest Conductor of the Classical Tahoe Musical Festival.
Eric is also artistic director and co-founder of The Knights, the uniquely adventurous NYC-based chamber orchestra. The ensemble, founded with his brother, violinist Colin Jacobsen, grew out of late-night music reading parties with friends, good food and drink, and conversation. Current endeavors include a multi-year Rhapsody project as well as a residency at Carnegie Hall. Under Jacobsen’s baton, The Knights have developed an extensive recording collection, including albums with longtime collaborators Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Aaron Diehl, Gabe Kahane, and Anna Clyne.
Eric’s musical life started from a very young age surrounded by a musical family, where he discovered his love of pulling a bow across a string as a cellist. He and his brother founded the string quartet Brooklyn Rider and also performed regularly with Yo-Yo Ma as a member of Silkroad, touring around the world. This collaborative spirit and sense of music is something that Eric strives to bring to every concert and project.
A frequent guest conductor, Eric has established continuing relationships with the Colorado Symphony, Detroit Symphony, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and the Dresden Musikfestspiele. Recent and upcoming engagements also include concerts with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival, Utah Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony.
Eric brings joy, storytelling, and a touch of humor to what he describes as “musical conversations” that delight audiences around the world, including those who do not traditionally attend classical music concerts. Jacobsen is married to Grammy-Winner singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan and together they have a daughter.
