Dominik Winterling, Chairman of the Managing Board

Born in Zwiesel (Germany) in 1979, Mr Dominik Winterling will serve as Chairman of the Concertgebouworkest’s Managing Board, a post he will assume by 1 March 2021 at the latest.

Having worked at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg since 2015 as Managing Director of the supporting foundation of the concert hall, Stiftung Elbphilharmonie, Mr Winterling oversees all fundraising activities including sponsorship, donations and legacies. He has developed corporate sponsorships with leading companies such as Montblanc, Bank Julius Baer, SAP and Deutsche Telekom.

Mr Winterling previously worked for the Heidelberger Frühling Music Festival, first as Head of Finance, Marketing and Organisation (2007–9) and subsequently as Head of Artistic Planning and Business Administration (2009–14). In 2006, he earned a master’s degree in piano from the Mannheim University for Music and Performing Arts and a master’s degree in management with intercultural qualification from the University of Mannheim and from ESSEC Business School in Cergy-Pontoise, France.

Ulrike Niehoff, Artistic Director

Born in Ingolstadt (Germany) in 1977, Ms Ulrike Niehoff will be joining the Managing Board as Artistic Director with effect from 1 January 2021.

Until recently, she was Director of Artistic Planning with the Wiener Symphoniker, overseeing the orchestra’s symphonic concerts and opera performances and initiating community and education projects with various partners in Vienna. Ms Niehoff has also created new series and tailored concert formats for new and younger audiences, in addition to having co-developed the artist in residence programme and planned the Wiener Symphoniker’s first tours of China.

She previously served as Managing Director of Bruno Weil’s Klang und Raum Music Festival in Irsee (2003–8) and as Director of Artistic Planning and Administration with the Grafenegg Festival (2008–13). She holds a master’s degree in international cultural and business studies from the University of Passau (2003) and wrote her master’s thesis on the long-range planning of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

David Bazen, Director of Operations

Born in Amsterdam in 1964, David Bazen has worked with the Concertgebouworkest since 1999, initially as Business Manager and Head of Marketing and, since 2011, as Director of Business and Media. Since 1 January 2020, he has served as the orchestra’s interim Managing Director, a post Mr Bazen will continue to occupy until the Managing Board is complete. He will assume the role of Director of Operations as part of the new management structure.

Quotes

Wiet Pot, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Concertgebouworkest:

“The board is pleased to announce the successful completion of the selection process for the two vacancies on the Managing Board. Symphony orchestras everywhere are facing a number of challenges which are being exacerbated and accelerated by COVID-19, and yet at the same time offer opportunities. In response to these challenges, making the right choices and ensuring their effective implementation will determine the position of the orchestra in the current decade. We have the utmost confidence that Dominik Winterling and Ulrike Niehoff possess the qualities to join David Bazen in leading the orchestra and the organisation in the coming period, and wish them every happiness and success in their endeavour.”

Dominik Winterling: 

“It is with happiness and pride that I look forward to my new job as Chairman of the Concertgebouworkest’s Managing Board. Working for this world-renowned orchestra is an honour and privilege that fills me with joy and deep respect in view of the outstanding artistic quality of its musicians. I eagerly anticipate plotting a course for the Concertgebouworkest’s future together with my new colleagues.”

Ulrike Niehoff:

“Orchestras do not come better than the Concertgebouworkest. That is why I am excited, honoured and privileged to be starting as its new Artistic Director. I look forward to forging an inspiring path ahead, creating greater diversity and finding new audiences while building on the orchestra’s excellence and rich history together with the Managing Board, the staff and the orchestra’s outstanding musicians.”