Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Finnish: Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri, Swedish: Helsingfors stadsorkester) is a Finnish orchestra based in Helsinki. Its primary concert venue is the Helsinki Music Centre.

The orchestra in 1965, with conductor Jorma Panula.

History

In 1882, with the backing of two wealthy businessmen, Robert Kajanus founded the orchestra as the Helsinki Orchestral Society and served as its chief conductor for 50 years. It was the first permanent orchestra in the Nordic countries. In 1914, it merged with its rival ensemble, the Helsinki Symphony Orchestra, and acquired its present name. Until 1962, it also served as the orchestra for the Finnish National Opera.

Leif Segerstam was chief conductor of the orchestra from 1995 to 2007, and is now its chief conductor emeritus. John Storgårds became principal guest conductor of the orchestra in 2003, and took up the chief conductorship of the orchestra in the autumn of 2008, with an initial contract of 4 years. Following an initial renewal of his contract through 2014.,[1] in October 2013, the orchestra announced a further extension of Storgårds' contract through December 2015, at which time he stood down as chief conductor.[2][3] In September 2014, the orchestra announced the appointment of Susanna Mälkki as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2016–2017 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[4][5] She is the first female conductor to be named to the post in the orchestra's history.[6] In October 2017, the orchestra announced the extension of Mälkki's contract as chief conductor through 2021.[7] In June 2019, the orchestra announced a further extension of her contract as chief conductor through 2023, with an option for a further 2-year extension past 2023.[8] In December 2021, the orchestra announced that Mälkki is to stand down as its chief conductor at the end of the 2022-2023 season, and subsequently to take the title of chief conductor emeritus with the orchestra.[9] In April 2022, the orchestra announced the appointments of Jukka-Pekka Saraste as its next chief conductor, Pekka Kuusisto as its next principal guest conductor, and Anna Clyne as its composer-in-residence, all effective with the 2023-2024 season.[10]

The orchestra has recorded commercially for such labels as Ondine[11][12] and Finlandia, as well as a smaller number for the EMI, Warner and Deutsche Grammophon labels. In November 2011, the orchestra was the first ensemble to perform reported sketches for the Symphony No 8 of Jean Sibelius.[13][14]

Chief conductors

References
  1. Andrew Mellor (2011-03-04). "BBC Philharmonic appoints John Storgårds principal guest conductor". Gramophone. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  2. "John Storgårds will extend his contract as Chief Conductor" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. October 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  3. Samuli Tiikkaja (2013-10-20). "John Storgårds on orkesterin luottovahti". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  4. "Susanna Mälkki appointed Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 1 Sep 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  5. Vesa Sirén (2014-09-01). "Susanna Mälkki valittiin Helsingin kaupunginorkesterin ylikapellimestariksi – "olen iloinen ja ylpeä"". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  6. Vesa Sirén (2014-09-02). "HKO teki historiaa". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  7. "Susanna Mälkki to continue as Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  8. "Susanna Mälkki Extends With Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  9. "Susanna Mälkki päättää ylikapellimestarikautensa Helsingin kaupunginorkesterissa kesällä 2023" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  10. "HKO:lle taiteellinen johtotiimi vuonna 2023" (Press release). Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  11. Andrew Clements (2008-05-22). "Sibelius: Kullervo, Isokoski/ Hakala/ YL Male Voice Choir/ Helsinki Philharmonic Orch/ Segerstam". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  12. Tim Ashley (2015-03-12). "Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau; Sinfonietta CD review – too cool for my taste". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  13. Andrew Mellor (2011-11-17). "Helsinki Philharmonic plays Sibelius' Eighth fragments". Gramophone. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  14. Samuli Tiikkaja (2013-10-20). "John Storgårds on orkesterin luottovahti". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
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