The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the first professional symphony orchestra in the Nordic countries, has been operating for 126 years.  Today, its’ concerts are attended by an audience of a good 100,000 a year. The first Chief Conductor of the HPO was Robert Kajanus. He was succeeded by Paavo Berglund, Okko Kamu and other conductors of note. 1995-2007 Leif Segerstam was Chief Conductor of the orchestra. John Storgårds began his four-year tenure in autumn 2008. In addition to the 70-80 concerts each year the HPO regularly tours abroad, lately to China and Italy.

Works by Sibelius and Rautavaara have featured on the discs made by the HPO. A new recording of the complete Sibelius symphonies has received excellent reviews. The recordings of works by Einojuhani Rautavaara have also been great successes. The Orchestra has also ventured out into new recording territory with premiere releases of works by John Corigliano and Christopher Rouse. The disc entitled The Best of Finnish Children’s Songs (2005) ties in with the Orchestra’s seven-year godchild project involving 4,500 families.

www.hel.fi/filharmonia/