The Rotterdam Philharmonic has introduced the appointment of up-and-coming Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski as its principal visitor conductor from the beginning of the 2023-24 live performance season.
The 22-year-old Finn made his debut with the orchestra in Could, conducting works by Rachmaninov and Sibelius instead of Valery Gergiev. The latter was a former Rotterdam chief conductor, however had fallen out of favour after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after refusing to distance himself from Putin’s insurance policies.
‘Nothing wanting a miracle (…) staggering, breathtaking, tear-jerking magnificence,’ was the decision of Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad after the live performance.
Peltokoski’s subsequent date with the Rotterdam Phil is on 17 September, when he’ll conduct the orchestra’s Late Summer season Spirit occasion. The particular visitor for that live performance is Rotterdam’s chief conductor Lahav Shani, who will carry out because the piano soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
The younger Finn is at present music director of the Latvian Nationwide Orchestra. He’ll maintain the Rotterdam Philharmonic position for 4 years. At 22, he has already appeared at a number of festivals – and, final August, he accomplished his first Wagner Ring cycle on the Eurajoki Bel Canto Pageant.
Peltokoski’s Finnish music credentials are sturdy: he studied with Sakari Oramo on the Sibelius Academy, and has additionally been taught by Hannu Lintu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Esa-Pekka Salonen.
George Wiegel, common director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, says: ‘Tarmo Peltokoski is an upcoming expertise who already has a lot in retailer at his younger age. Along with Lahav Shani he is a good match for our extremely passionate orchestra.’
‘Rotterdam is a spot the place younger conducting expertise has typically risen to nice heights,’ provides Floris Don, the orchestra’s inventive supervisor. ‘We’re wanting ahead to seeing how Tarmo will develop with us.’
Image: Peter Rigaud
