Hannu Jurmu is a Finnish classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a conductor, pianist, and composer. Born on May 5, 1978, in Helsinki, Finland, Jurmu showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He went on to study music at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. Jurmu's talent as a pianist was recognized early on, and he won several awards and competitions throughout his career. In 1998, he won the first prize in the Finnish National Piano Competition, and in 2000, he was awarded the second prize in the International Piano Competition in Helsinki. He also won the first prize in the Nordic Piano Competition in 2002. In addition to his success as a pianist, Jurmu also developed a passion for conducting. He studied conducting with Jorma Panula at the Sibelius Academy and went on to conduct several orchestras in Finland and abroad. In 2005, he was appointed the principal conductor of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 2010. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in several successful performances and recordings, including a critically acclaimed recording of Sibelius's Symphony No. 2. Jurmu's success as a conductor led to several guest conducting engagements with orchestras around the world. He has conducted the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, among others. He has also conducted several opera productions, including Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni, and Verdi's La Traviata. In addition to his work as a pianist and conductor, Jurmu is also a composer. He has written several works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, and his music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles in Finland and abroad. His compositions are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and colorful orchestration. Jurmu's career highlights include his performances of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, his conducting of Sibelius's Symphony No. 2 with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, and his composition of the orchestral work, "Northern Lights," which was premiered by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2015. He has also received several awards and honors for his work, including the Pro Finlandia Medal in 2010 and the Finnish State Prize for Music in 2016. Jurmu continues to be an active performer, conductor, and composer, and his contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized. His passion for music and his dedication to his craft have made him a respected figure in the Finnish music scene and beyond.

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