MAESTRO'S TOOLBOX LIVE

ACHIM HOLUB

You can find detailed information on Achim Holub on www.achimholub.com.[…] was fortunate to be directed by Achim Holub, a young Austrian musician, who, certainly on this showing, deserves encouragement and support from the highest level
[...] As an interpretation, Holub’s account [of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9] was totally convincing, and of no little musical distinction. […] This young man could go far.
Robert Matthew-Walker, Classical Source[…] Achim Holub, the superb conductor, had complete control over his forces without being over demonstrative. This was particularly noticeable in the last work, the Jupiter Symphony, where he conducted without a score and managed to convey the meaning of each of the four movements skilfully.
John Packwood, Bristol Evening PostAchim Holub is widely regarded as one of the most successful Austrian conductors of the younger generation. Audiences and the press are thrilled by his dynamic and innovative interpretations and colleagues and orchestra managers alike praise his meticulous preparation and professional conducting technique.Since 2010 he has been principal conductor of the London Classical Soloists, one of London's leading chamber orchestras which has performed many of the major classical and early romantic symphonic works, including the complete Beethoven symphonies, during the last years and are currently embarking on the complete Schumann and Brahms symphony cycles.For the last eight years, he has also been collaborating with the Orpheus Sinfonia and Firebird, two orchestra projects under the patronage of Dame Judi Dench, performing with them at the most important venues in London and on a tour to Austria.
Furthermore, Achim is artistic director of Kammerphilharmonie Graz, one of Central Europe’s leading chamber orchestras, with which he has been giving many concerts in several parts of Austria within the last 15 years.Up until then, he was assistant conductor with the Berlin Philharmonic, the NDR-Sinfonieorchester, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic and worked together for many years with Sir John Eliot Gardiner at concerts and recordings for Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft.For twenty years now, Achim has been conducting concerts with some of the most prominent orchestras in Europe, such as the English Baroque Soloists, the Graz Symphony Orchestra, the NDR-Sinfonieorchester, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Slovene Philharmonic Ljubljana and the Thüringen Philharmonie on a tour through Eastern Germany.
He recorded together with Sir John Eliot Gardiner Percy Grainger’s „The Warriors“ for Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft and collaborated several times with the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF.Born into a creative, cosmopolitan family, he received his first music tuition at the age of six and decided shortly afterwards to become a professional musician.
He then studied conducting with Milan Horvat in Graz, Michael Gielen in Salzburg und Ferdinand Leitner in Siena. Subsequently, he participated in one of the world’s most prestigious conducting courses, the NOS Conductors’ Masterclass in Hilversum, and Sir Georg Solti invited him to a study visit at the Salzburg Festival.Achim frequently presents educational events and is an experienced pianist, performing as accompanist at chamber music concerts and Lieder recitals.

MAESTRO'S TOOLBOX
FREE ONLINE MASTERCLASS

Sunday, 11 October 2026, at 15:00 CEST
Free online masterclass
Reserve your place now at our registration page.Maestro’s Toolbox: The Conducting School Myth
What makes a conductor truly effective? Is it technique, interpretation, communication - or a combination of all three?Join conductor Achim Holub for a free online masterclass exploring The Conducting School Myth.
Together, we will question the idea that successful conducting can be reduced to a single method or tradition, and look at how conductors can develop an authentic, personal approach.Drawing on his experience working with worldclass orchestras and soloists, Achim will offer practical insights into the tools, habits, and strategies that help conductors communicate clearly and lead with confidence.Whether you are an aspiring conductor, a music student, or simply curious about the art of conducting, this masterclass offers an inspiring introduction to Maestro’s Toolbox.

MAESTRO'S TOOLBOX LIVE
VALENCIA 31 OCTOBER & 1 NOVEMBER 2026

Join us for a TWO-DAY INTENSIVE CONDUCTING WORKSHOP focused on one of the conductor’s Four Maestro Toolboxes: TECHNIQUE.We are going to explore different approaches to developing a personal conducting style, without falling into the traps of so-called “Conducting Schools.”
Additionally, we will work on one of the most challenging pieces in the orchestral repertoire, Richard Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel, alongside exercises inspired by the daily practice routines of instrumentalists and singers.- 12 hours of group sessions, with a maximum of 6 participants
- Piano sessions and a 60-minute one-on-one coaching session
- An informal talk on Career Survival Strategies
- A free 60-minute online session with Achim Holub for every participant before the course begins

COURSE DETAILS
Number of participants: 6
Group session time: 12 hours
One-on-one coaching session: 60 minutes
Pre-course online session: Each participant will have one personal 60-minute online session with Achim Holub before the course starts to discuss the repertoire and tailor the coaching experience.DATES
Course starts: Saturday, 31 October 2026, 10.00
Course ends: Sunday, 1 November 2026, 16.00
Arrival: Friday, 30 October (evening) or Saturday, 31 October (early morning)
Departure: Sunday, 1 November (late afternoon) or Monday, 2 November (morning)FEES
Course fee: €280 / £240 / $315
Early-bird fee: €230 / £195 / $260
Application deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026, 17.00
Early-bird deadline: Friday, 9 October 2026, 17.00The full course fee must be paid in advance.EXAMPLE
A participant who registers before the early-bird deadline of 9 October will pay the complete course fee of €230 no later than one week after receiving the confirmation of participation.REPERTOIRE
Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
(Breitkopf Urtext or Peters)COURSE LANGUAGES
English, German, Spanish, FrenchFEES & APPLICATION
There are no application or registration fees. We will process your application as quickly as possible.
Partners and family members of participants have free access to all sessions.REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
To apply, use the Registration Form or send an email to [email protected].
To secure your place, please pay the course fee as soon as possible, and no later than one week after receiving your confirmation of participation (payment details will be sent with the confirmation).