Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

Finland

Birth

:

June 30, 1958 in Helsinki, Finland

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Esa-Pekka Salonen is a Finnish conductor, composer, and music director who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. Born on June 30, 1958, in Helsinki, Finland, Salonen grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Salonen began his musical education at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he studied French horn and composition. He later continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein and composition with Milton Babbitt. Salonen's career as a conductor began in the early 1980s, when he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He quickly gained a reputation as a dynamic and innovative conductor, and he was soon in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras around the world. In 1992, Salonen was appointed as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position he held for 17 years. During his tenure, he transformed the orchestra into one of the most innovative and forward-thinking ensembles in the world. He introduced new works by contemporary composers, such as John Adams and Steve Reich, and he also championed the music of lesser-known composers, such as the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. Salonen's tenure with the Los Angeles Philharmonic was marked by many highlights, including the premiere of his own composition, "LA Variations," in 1997. He also conducted the orchestra in a critically acclaimed performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 in 2001, which was later released on CD. In addition to his work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Salonen has also conducted many other major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also been a regular guest conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Salonen's work as a composer has also been highly acclaimed. He has written works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, and his music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. Some of his most notable compositions include "Giro," a work for orchestra and electronics, and "Helix," a work for orchestra and solo cello. Salonen has received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1995, he was awarded the Sibelius Prize, the highest honor given by the Finnish government for contributions to Finnish culture. He has also been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor Award, the Polar Music Prize, and the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. In recent years, Salonen has continued to be an active conductor and composer. He has served as the principal conductor and artistic advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London since 2008, and he has also been a regular guest conductor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also continued to compose new works, including "Karawane," a work for choir and orchestra that was premiered in 2014. Overall, Esa-Pekka Salonen is a highly respected and influential figure in the classical music world. His innovative approach to conducting and composition has helped to shape the direction of classical music in the 21st century, and his work continues to inspire and challenge musicians and audiences around the world.

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