Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra announces new leadership team

Finland’s Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) has announced that it will be implementing a new artistic leadership model after the end of current chief conductor Susanna Mälkki’s term in summer 2023. The new three-member artistic leadership team will be led by chief conductor and artistic director Jukka-Pekka Saraste (pictured) and will include principal guest conductor and artistic co-director Pekka Kuusisto and composer-in-residence Anna Clyne.

During his three-year term as chief conductor, Saraste will conduct the HPO for eight weeks a year. Kuusisto’s contract for the same length will require him to conduct the orchestra for four weeks a year in the role of principal guest conductor and artistic co-director. The composer-in-residence will change annually, performing pieces as commissioned and working with the artistic leadership team, and planning one concert per season.

Aleksi Malmberg, HPO’s general manager feels the new model reflects today’s society and the importance of bringing unique voices together. He said: ‘We can be thankful for having such a strong base, from which we can explore new exciting paths with these wonderful artists… Now if ever, the value of unity, creativity and collaboration is being highlighted.’

Violinist, conductor, and composer Kuusisto has worked extensively with the HPO as well as holding the roles of artistic director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and artistic partner with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Mahler Chamber Orchestra. He said: ‘I am interested in highlighting the wide range of talents that can be found in the orchestra. A symphony orchestra is one of the finest organisations that humans are capable of, and together with the HPO, Anna and Jukka-Pekka, we can certainly expect some great initiatives.’

British composer Anna Clyne’s plans for her residency include two new concerti, as well as a week of collaborative orchestral concerts. She said: ‘This will be my first time in Finland, and I very much look forward to exploring the musical landscape and to sharing my orchestral music along with other orchestral music by exciting living composers who are expanding the orchestral sound world in innovative ways.’

Since his debut concert with the HPO in 1983, Saraste he has worked closely with the orchestra, and with Kuusisto. He has also served as chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne and of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as being principal conductor of both the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Saraste said: ‘Symphonic music has always been a very important part of the Finnish identity, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has an incredible history of providing a platform for composers since the early works of Sibelius.’

You can find out more about the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra here.