We all remember the fabulous all-Mendelssohn performance by the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig under the baton of Riccardo Chailly in Jones Hall here in Houston last November. When we reported on the audience reaction, many were overcome with the sheer beauty of the performance; some classified it as the musical highlight of their lives. Now the critics concur: they have chosen Riccardo Chailly as the world’s best conductor, and the Gewandhaus Orchestra as the 4th best in the world!
According to an international panel of professional music critic, five of the world’s greatest 
orchestras, are German; the Gewandhaus Orchestra ranks 4th world-wide.
Riccardo Chailly topped the poll as the World’s Best Conductor. Chief Conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus since 2005, Chailly is also the Principal Conductor at La Scala; in 2017 he fills the post of Music Director. Recently, Chailly was appointed the Lucerne Festival Orchestra’s next music director. “Chailly simply has the classical music world at his feet.”
For a wonderful write up about the candidates for best conductor and best orchestra, and the critics, please consult the original article by Mark Pullinger at https://bachtrack.com/worlds-best-orchestra-best-conductor-critics-choice-september-2015.