Turku Philharmonic Orchestra

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra
Founded1790
LocationTurku, Finland
Concert hallTurku Concert Hall
Websitewww.tfo.fi

The Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (Finnish: Turun Filharmoninen Orkesteri) is a Finnish orchestra based in Turku, Finland. The oldest orchestra in Finland, the Turku Philharmonic is resident at the Turku Concert Hall, the first purpose-built concert hall in Finland, completed in 1952.

History

The orchestra was founded in 1790 under the name Turun Soitannollinen Seura (Musical Society of Turku). In 1927, the municipality of Turku took ownership of the ensemble, with Tauno Hannikainen as the orchestra's first chief conductor under municipal management. The orchestra roster currently numbers 74 musicians.

The orchestra's most recent chief conductor was Olli Mustonen, from 2021 to 2023.[1] In January 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of John Storgårds as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2024-2025 season, with an initial contract through the spring of 2028.[2]

Past resident composers of the orchestra have included Mikko Heiniö. The orchestra's current composer-in-residence is Sebastian Fagerlund, since autumn 2022.

The orchestra released its first commercial recording in 1979. It has since recorded commercially for such labels as Ondine, Finlandia, and Naxos Records. With Segerstam, the orchestra has released a series of albums for Naxos of the music of Jean Sibelius.[3] The orchestra began to release monthly streaming videos of selected concerts in September 2016.

Principal conductors

  • Tauno Hannikainen (1927–1928)
  • Toivo Haapanen (1928–1929)
  • Tauno Hannikainen (1929–1939)
  • Eero Selin (1940–1941)
  • Ole Edgren (1941–1962)
  • Jorma Panula (1963–1965)
  • Paavo Rautio (1965–1974)
  • Pertti Pekkanen (1974–1986)
  • Igor Bezrodnyi (1986–1990)
  • Jacques Mercier (1990–1995)
  • Hannu Lintu (1998–2001)
  • Tibor Bogányi (2003–2006)
  • Petri Sakari (2007–2011)
  • Leif Segerstam (2012–2019)[4]
  • Olli Mustonen (2021–2023)
  • John Storgårds (designate, effective autumn 2024)

References

  1. ^ "Turku Philharmonic Orchestra had a successful year 2023 full of events" (Press release). Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  2. ^ "John Storgårds is the new Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra" (Press release). Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  3. ^ Erica Jeal (2015-05-28). "Sibelius: King Christian II CD review - poignant understatement". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  4. ^ Mattias Mattila (2012-01-07). "Segerstam haki ulottuvuuksia uudesta instrumentistaan". Turun Sanomat. Retrieved 2013-07-14.

External links

  • Turku Philharmonic Orchestra official Finnish-language website
  • Turku Philharmonic Orchestra official English-language website
  • Turku Philharmonic Orchestra on Suosio (Association of Finnish Symphony Orchestras)
  • David Hurwitz, 'More Excellent Rare Sibelius from Segerstam on Naxos'. Review from ClassicsToday.com
  • Paul Corfield Godfrey, September 2015 review, MusicWeb International page
  • Colin Anderson, 'Sibelius’s music for Scaramouche – Turku Philharmonic Orchestra/Leif Segerstam [Naxos]'. Classical Source website, June 2016
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