We are pleased to announce the appointment of Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski as the new Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
Peltokoski will officially begin his role in the 2026/27 season, following his term as Music Director Designate in the 2025/26 season. He will take over from Jaap van Zweden, becoming the ninth person to hold the position in the orchestra’s history.
Peltokoski’s debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic at the 2022/23 season finale led to sold-out performances at the 2023/24 season finale. The upcoming start of the 2024/25 season in Hong Kong with Peltokoski is highly anticipated.
“I am delighted to welcome Maestro Peltokoski as the next music director of the HK Phil,” said HK Philharmonic’s chair of the board and Music Director Search Committee David Cogman in a press release. “He is a remarkable and visionary musician, and we are very fortunate that he will write the next chapter in our orchestra’s history. The Board of Governors is tremendously excited by the orchestra’s future under the leadership of such an outstanding conductor.”
“I am honored and thrilled to be named Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra,” Peltokoski said. “After being highly impressed by the orchestra last year, I knew this would be a long-lasting relationship. The HK Phil is surely one of the absolute top orchestras in Asia. I am very much looking forward to lots of inspiring music-making with the brilliant HK Phil musicians in the years to come.”
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Benedikt Fohr, said “The appointment of Tarmo Peltokoski as the new Music Director of our Orchestra marks a significant milestone,” he also added “He is a highly talented musician from the younger generation. Under his leadership, we wish to inspire a new generation of music lovers, and continue to enhance our artistic excellence and elevate our reputation in Hong Kong and beyond. The HK Phil is thrilled about the creative journey that lies ahead.”
The orchestra’s concertmaster, Jing Wang, also warmly welcomes Tarmo Peltokoski. “His debut concerts with the HK Phil last year were truly inspiring, and his talent was immediately apparent. He is a highly energetic conductor with a great passion for music. The orchestra and I look forward to many years of great music-making together in the upcoming seasons.”