Jukka-Pekka Saraste
(c) Felix Broede
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is renewing its artistic leadership model, the organization says in a news release. The orchestra will have a three-member Artistic Leadership Team, which will comprise Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste, 65, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Co-director Pekka Kuusisto and Composer-in-Residence Anna Clyne. The term of the new Artistic Leadership Team will begin at the end of current Chief Conductor Susanna Mälkki’s term in summer 2023.
The contracts for Saraste and Kuusisto are for three years. The Chief Conductor will conduct the HPO eight weeks a year and the Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Co-director four weeks a year. The Composer-in-Residence will change annually, and in addition to performing orchestral pieces as commissioned, they will participate in the work of the artistic leadership team and plan the programme for one concert per season.
According to Aleksi Malmberg, General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the new artistic leadership model reflects today’s society and the importance of bringing unique voices together.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste has served as Chief Conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne from 2010 until 2019. Previous positions include Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Principal Conductor of both the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
