Dear Reader!
I am writing this text in January 2023. A lot has happened in our world in the last few years. The pandemic affected all artistic activities greatly, and the barbaric Russian aggression in Ukraine keeps minds and thoughts focused in larger than life questions. I can only say: Slava Ukraini! Let’s not forget.
However this new year brings some news and important projects that are very dear to my heart. First of all, I have agreed with my dearest BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Chorus to prolongue my tenure as the Chief Conductor of this magnificent ensemble until the 1st of July 2026-a date that will mark 13 years in that very privileged position. Having the opportunity to help shape the present and future of this fantastic orchestra means so much to me. London still remains, despite some unfortunate developments in the last years, a wonderfully vivid capital of classical music. The BBCSO family is already eagerly awaiting its removal, in late 2025, to our new, purpose built studio facilities in Stratford. Have a look: www.internationalquarter.london
With the BBCSO, we are back touring. In April 2023, we will perform in 4 Spanish cities (Zaragoza, Valladolid, Oviedo, Murcia) with soloists Boris Gilburg and Inmo Yang. In January 2024, a full cycle of Sibelius symphonies is planned for three Swiss cities (Zurich, Geneva and Bern). In London, we have our wonderful, exciting and varied concert series BBCSO at the Barbican Centre, and in the summer we are busy performing at the BBC Proms in Royal Albert Hall.
In 2023, I have already been to the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and done four concerts with them. Here is a link to the broadcast: https://www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/elbphilharmonieorchester/konzerte/NDR-Elbphilharmonie-Orchester-Sakari-Oramo-und-Alina-Pogostkina,oramo136.html . Later in the year, I will also visit the Guerzenich Orchestra in Cologne Guerzenich Orch, Bochumer Symphoniker -both with dearest Anu Komsi as soloist, doing Magnus Lindberg’s amazing ”Accused” (Cologne) and my own orchestrations of seven of Debussy’s youthful songs. I will also be back at the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Accademia di Santa Cecilia (Rome), Helsinki Philharmonic (jointly with four of my conducting students), Savonlinna Opera Festival conducting the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved Magic Flute production by August Everding, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (again, Lindberg’s ”Accused” with Anu Komsi).
Besides of all this concert activity, I am very busy teaching my conducting students at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and also supervising and taking care of that institution’s orchestral training.
Let the music sound in 2023!
Yours, Sakari