English conductor Gilbert Varga. Renowned for his exemplary baton technique, Varga has held positions with and guest conducted many of the major orchestras throughout the world. In the earlier part of his conducting career Varga concentrated on work with chamber orchestras, particularly the Tibor Varga Chamber Orchestra, before rapidly developing a reputation as a symphonic conductor. From 1980 to 1985 Varga was Chief Conductor of the Hofer Symphoniker and between 1985 and 1990 Chief Conductor of the Philharmonia Hungarica in Marl, conducting their debut tour to Hungary with Yehudi Menuhin. From 1991 to 1995 he was Permanent Guest Conductor of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and from 1997 until 2000 Principal Guest of the Malmö Symphony. Since 1997 Varga has been Music Director of The Basque National Orchestra, during which time he has conducted them on tours across the UK, Germany and Spain.