THE new chief conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has been warming up for his home debut in arguably the most appropriate location. Vienna, the music capital of the world, conducting the Vienna Philharmonic.

Mark Wigglesworth takes to the Lighthouse Poole podium on Wednesday, November 20, in his first concert in the new role with a programme featuring Wagner, Ravel and Walton.

But by no stretch of the imagination is he a stranger to the orchestra. He has been the principal guest conductor for the past three years.

So my first question to him. Does that mean no surprises for musicians and audiences?

He laughed: “I think evolution is better than revolution, and I am thrilled to be joining an organisation that is doing so well. I don’t feel the need for surprises, but I’d like to think that nothing is ever predictable.”

On the BSO’s long and illustrious heritage he said: “We are all just custodians of something that is far bigger than any of us, and the history of the BSO is truly remarkable.

“The fact that this part of the world has essentially has always had this orchestra and that it is so clearly identified with the area, that feels really special.

“Pretty much every orchestra is local in the sense it begins with the name of the place it serves, whether it be Vienna or London, Berlin or Bournemouth.

“The BSO defines music making in the south west. However, tradition only survives if you continue to look forward. I think the orchestra has always done that in the conductors and repertoires they have chosen.”

Wigglesworth paid tribute to the community outreach work that has been part of the BSO’s identity and vision for a long time, including in care homes and hospitals, with dementia patients, its education programme, disabled-led orchestra, and music making in isolated communities across 10,000 square miles.

“This is not an add on for the orchestra, it’s a fundamental part of its raison d’etre. And that is a reflection of where our society is right now. We are supposed to be a connected society but we are increasingly a disconnected one.

“The main symphonic season is only one part of what the orchestra does and I think it would be wrong to say it’s the most important thing. I get the sense that nothing is more important than anything else. Everything matters to this orchestra.

“Everything is predicated on putting music at the forefront of people’s lives and if people can’t come to us, we go to them. And that is fantastic thing.

“Music is not the goal. The goal is what music brings to us and that is a sense of belonging, a sense of connection to others and a feeling of being alive and in the moment."

Wigglesworth is first new chief conductor in 15 years after long serving Kirill Karabits stepped down earlier this year.

Wednesday’s concert features Wagner's The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Overture, the first piece Wigglesworth conducted for the BSO in 1990, Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand and Walton’s Symphony No 1.

For more on the 24/25 programme see bsolive.com