Eugene Tzigane

Who is Eugene Tzigane?

Eugene Tzigane is an American conductor who is currently Chief Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie of Herford, Germany.

Born in Tokyo, Tzigane studied with James DePriest at the Juilliard School, and graduated in 2007 with a Master of Music in orchestral conducting. He later studied with Jorma Panula at the Royal College of Music, in Stockholm. His awards include the Grand Prize at the 2007 International Fitelberg Competition in Katowice, Poland, and the Second Prize at both the Sir Georg Solti Competition in Frankfurt, Germany and the International Lovro von Matačić Competition in Zagreb, Croatia.

Tzigane first guest-conducted the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in October 2009. In December of that year, he was named the orchestra's next Chief Conductor, effective with the 2010-2011 season. His initial contract is for 4 years. He was named Principal Guest Conductor of the Pomerian Philharmonic Orchestra in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in October 2009.

Tzigane is the son of a Japanese mother and an American father.