Lahav Shani, 37, Leads Munich Philharmonic Debut with Bernstein and Tölzer Knabenchor

At 37, Lahav Shani has become the youngest chief conductor of the Münchner Philharmoniker in a century. His inaugural concert in Munich paired works by Leonard Bernstein with the Tölzer Knabenchor, and his reading of Stravinsky edged toward techno in its rhythmic drive. The performance was described as a humanistic statement, with Shani's virtuosic conducting marking the start of his tenure. The review, published by Süddeutsche Zeitung, frames the evening as both a debut and a declaration of intent for the orchestra. Shani, born in 1989, previously led the Rotterdam Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic. The concert took place in Munich, where the Philharmoniker is based. The review highlights the collaboration with the boys' choir and the Bernstein selection as central to the program's character. No further details on the specific works or dates were provided in the source.