There has been much chatter of late on this site and elsewhere on the predominance of Finns in the global podium. From a nation that conducts intense conversations chiefly with its shoelaces, this phenomenon is worth assessment. Now in its second generation, we can start to see patterns emerging. On present form, we think the top 15 look like this:
1 Esa-Pekka Salonen
Age 66
Leaving the San Francisco Symphony with nowhere to go but at a stage in life where he hardly cares, Salonen is besieged with offers, some of which he directs towards fellow-Finns. He’s not done yet.
2 Sakari Oramo
Age: 59
Chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orcheatra since 2012 and professor of conducting at the Sibelius Academy, he has given young Finns opportunities abroad. Has yet to get a US break.
3 Klaus Mäkelä
Age: 29
Vastly overcommitted, with chief conductorships in Oslo, Pari, Amsterdam and Chicago, Mäkelä makes an instant impression that is not often endorsed by interpretative depth.
4 Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Age: 68
Chief at the Helsinki Philharmonic, after spells in Glasgow, Toronto, Oslo and Cologne. Lifelong Salonen buddy.
5 Hannu Lintu
Age: 57
Head of Finnish Opera and Ballet, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Gulbenkian orchestra in Lisbon.
6 Susanna Mälkki
Age: 55
Ex-Helsinki Phil and Gulbenkian, now auditioning heavily in the US
7 Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Age: 39
Chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.
8 Pietari Inkinen
Age: 44
Conducted the 2023 Ring cycle at Bayreuth, chief of orchestras in Saarland and South Korea
9 Osmo Vänskä
Age: 71
The former Minnesota chief walked out of his last high-paid job at the Seoul Philharmonic. Still living in Minnesota, he keeps strong Finnish roots with the Lahti Symphony.
10 Mikko Franck
Age: 45
Finishing long term with the Radio France orchestra.
11 John Storgårds
Age: 61
Chief conductor of the BBC Philharmonic and Turku Philharmonic
12 Dalia Stasevska
Age: 40
Chief conductor of the Lahti Symphony, principal guest of the BBC Symphony.
13 Anna-Maria Helsing
Age: 53
Chief of BBC Concert Orchestra and Vaasa City Orchestra
14 Eva Ollikainen
Age: 42 (pic)
Iceland Symphony
15 Taavi Oramo
Age: 35
Artistic Director, VocalEspoo Festival
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