Rotterdam / Hannover, Germany / New York, NY — 13 September, 2022
We are thrilled that Tarmo Peltokoski has been announced Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest today. Tarmo Peltokoski will start his tenure in August 2023.
“Disconcerting, breathtaking,tearjerkingly beautiful. Even writing about it brings back goosebumps. How he did it is a mystery but the most beautiful concert of the year was played in Rotterdam. Tarmo Peltokoski. Write that name down.”
(NRC Rotterdam)
“Attention, here comes a genius! … Peltokoski not only has phenomenal technique, but an energy, a musical instinct, a stylistic and expressive clarity as well as fiery dynamics, all of which leave one speechless.”
(Diapason Magazine, Rémy Louis)
Press Release by Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest:
Tarmo Peltokoski appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
The The 22-year old Finnish conductor starts his Rotterdam tenure September 2023 with a four-year term
Tarmo Peltokoski will join the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor for four years starting from concert season 2023-2024. Last May, the 22-year-old Finn made an indelible impression with his Dutch debut, conducting the Rotterdam orchestra in works by Rachmaninov and Sibelius. ‘Nothing short of a miracle,’ wrote the major Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad, ‘staggering, breathtaking, tear-jerking beauty.’ The orchestra’s musicians were also unanimously enthusiastic about Peltokoski and urged his speedy return to Rotterdam. That return is coming this week: on Saturday, September 17, Tarmo Peltokoski will conduct the orchestra during the Late Summer Spirit event. Special guest in that concert is chief conductor Lahav Shani, who will make his appearance as a piano soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Tarmo Peltokoski (© Peter Rigaud)
George Wiegel, general director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra:
“Tarmo Peltokoski is an upcoming talent who already has much in store at his young age. Together with Lahav Shani he is a great match for our highly passionate orchestra. From the first moment we met sparks were flying between him and the orchestra. For us, and also for him, it was clear from that moment on that we couldn’t wait entering into a long-term collaboration.”
On this Floris Don, artistic manager of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, continues:
“Rotterdam is a place where young conducting talent has often risen to great heights; we are looking forward to seeing how Tarmo will develop with us. In any case, his concert this weekend will already be a great celebration, with our own chief conductor at the piano: we couldn’t have a nicer start.”
Tarmo Peltokoski
At 22, Tarmo Peltokoski is now Music and Artistic Director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and has been awarded the title of principal guest conductor at The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the first conductor to hold this position in the orchestra’s 42-year history. Tarmo Peltokoski has made brilliant debuts in Paris with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse and in Frankfurt with the hr- Sinfonieorchester. He also appeared at several festivals and last August he completed his first Wagner Ring cycle at the Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival. Peltokoski is from Finland began his studies with professor emeritus Jorma Panula at the age of 14 and studied with Sakari Oramo at the Sibelius Academy. He has also been taught by Hannu Lintu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Tarmo Peltokoski: “I am honored and excited to be collaborating with this great orchestra for four seasons as principal guest conductor. Together we will explore different repertoire and enjoy making music together.”
About the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Since its early days, our orchestra has been able to discover and hold on to exceptional conducting talent at a very young age. Principal and permanent guest conductors like Eduard Flipse, Edo de Waart, Simon Rattle, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Lahav Shani were all aged thirty or younger when they made their debut with our orchestra. The orchestra invests heavily in talent development, including as a partner of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam.