Orchestra

“The Finnish Chamber orchestra is a result of a development that has taken place in the Finnish music culture during the past decades. The musicians are at the forefront of Finnish musicianship. Over the years the orchestra has become extremely dynamic demonstrating remarkable musical sensitivity."

-JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE

The Finnish Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1990, is a vocation for its members. The musicians are in the forefront of Finnish orchestras: concertmasters and principals, prominent instructors, and freelance artists. These top musicians have gathered to work together in a unique ensemble where art comes before routine, and quality before compromise. The orchestra’s Artistic Advisor Jukka-Pekka Saraste is also the Artistic Director of Ekenäs Summer Concerts. Apart from Saraste, the Finnish Chamber Orchestra has worked with other top-rated Finnish conductors, including Paavo Berglund, Sakari Oramo, Okko Kamu, Ralf Gothóni, and Hannu Lintu.

The Finnish Chamber Orchestra functions primarily on private endorsement. The orchestra is in co-operation with a group of Finnish and international companies of which Kone, Veho, Fiskars and HPP Attorneys, together with the City of Ekenäs share the main responsibility of sponsorship. As well as performing annually in southern Finland, since 2000 the Finnish Chamber Orchestra has been the driving force behind the annual Ekenäs Summer Concerts.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste

"The Finnish Chamber Orchestra is my musical home."

Jukka-Pekka Saraste has established himself as one of the outstanding conductors of his generation, demonstrating remarkable musical depth and integrity.

Saraste has served as Chief Conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne since 2010 and extended his contract in 2015 until the end of the 2018–2019 season. He was Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra from 2006 to 2013, and at the end of his tenure was appointed Conductor Laureate, the very first such title bestowed by that orchestra. His previous positions include the principal conductorships of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (1987–1991), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (1987–2001), after which he was made Conductor Laureate, Toronto Symphony Orchestra (1994–2001), and he also served as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (2002–2005). He has recently held the position of Artistic Advisor of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and founded the Finnish Chamber Orchestra, for which he is still Artistic Advisor. He also founded the orchestra's annual Tammisaari Festival, for which he is Artistic Director.

Saraste's guest engagements have led him to the major orchestras worldwide, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Munich Philharmonic.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste has received the Pro Finlandia Prize, the Sibelius Medal, and the Finnish State Prize for Music. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from York University, Toronto and an honorary doctorate from the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki.

Read more from Jukka-Pekka Saraste's website: www.jukkapekkasaraste.com