Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Gothenberg Symphony season opener

Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra (Götesborgs Symphoniker) season opener with Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducting Lief Ove Andsnes in Edvard Grieg Piano Concerto, Shostakovich Symphony no 5 and Jennifer Higdon Loco. Rouvali's been appointed Chief Conductor at the Philharmonia, taking over from Esa-Pekka Salonen : a seriously important, high profile position. but no surprise at all to those who have heard him, in Gothenberg and In London. Outstanding recording of Sibelius Symphony no 1. When it comes to conductors, he's the genuine article - very music focussed and clear sighted.  And so is the Götesborgs Symphoniker who  punch way above their weight - much livelier and more enthusiastic than many bigger orchestras. I also like their hall, which is so small that the piano is placed on a special platform but this scale seems to give performances a very personal, intimate feel. Listen to more on GSO replay on the orchestra's website and mark your calender for 26th September when Rouvali leads the orchestra in Sibelius Symphony no 4, Nielsen Symphony no 4 and Magnus Lindberg's The Accused with coloratura Anu Komsi. It's good - please read more about it HERE.  





Below, last night's concert :

Philharmonia's New Chief Conductor - Santtu Matias Rouvali

Snttu-Mthias Rouvalli  photo :Kaapo Kamu

The Philharmoniua Orchestra has just announced : 

The Philharmonia Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Santtu-Matias Rouvali as its next Principal Conductor, only the sixth person to hold the title in its 75-year history. Following in the footsteps of the legendary Riccardo Muti, appointed as the Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia in 1973 at 32, 33-year-old Rouvali is one of the youngest-ever artists appointed as Principal Conductor of a London orchestra.

Rouvali will take up the position for the 2021/22 season. His five-year contract with the Philharmonia will see him working with the Orchestra for 10 weeks a year right across its programme, including leading its flagship London Season as Resident Orchestra at Southbank Centre. Reviews of his performances there have praised his innate musicianship and communicative flair: “…he is the real thing: music unmistakably flows from him,” (Sunday Times).

Rouvali will also conduct the Philharmonia across its UK residencies programme and for further weeks on international tours, also developing recording projects, and working with the Orchestra on its award-winning digital, outreach and audience development programmes.
Speaking about the appointment, Santtu-Matias Rouvali said: “I am honoured to be the new Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia. This is the start of a great adventure: London is such an exciting place for orchestras, and the Philharmonia is at the heart of classical music life in this city. The players of the Philharmonia can do anything: they are enormously talented and show an incredible hunger to create great performances. There is huge possibility with this orchestra, and we will do great things together.”