BBC Symphony Orchestra Extends Music Director’s Contract

Sakari Oramo has been the chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBCSO) since 2013. He previously served in principal positions with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony orchestras.

In 2015, BBCSO extended their contract with Oramo until the 2019-20 season and again in 2020, until the end of 2023 BBC Proms. Now in his ninth season with the ensemble, Oramo has so far conducted BBCSO in 27 BBC Proms performances.

Oramo previously served as Chief Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and guest conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and Berliner Philharmoniker.

“I am very happy and beyond excited to continue in my position as Chief Conductor of [BBCSO] until the summer of 2026,” Orama said in a BBC press release. “On the musical, artistic and human level, I couldn’t imagine any better environment than this musical family…I hold dear our contribution to public service broadcasting, bringing the highest quality programming and music making to everyone in the UK and widely overseas,” he continued.

Director of BBCSO & Chorus and BBC Singers, Paul Hughes, added that Orama’s role with the orchestra has continually strengthened and deepened the great musical partnership. “Knowing that Sakari will continue in this role through until 2026, to see the orchestra into its new home in Stratford’s East Bank, is fantastic news for the orchestra, for the BBC and for our audiences around the world. I could not be happier,” Hughes expressed. 

On October 5, 2022, Oramo and BBCSO will open their tenth Barbican season together — which includes the world premiere of Sophie Lacaze’s Sighs of the Stars. 

In the days following, Orama will also direct the first Total Immersion program of the 2022/23 season which will explore the life and work of Jean Sibelius in Sibelius the Storyteller. They will be joined by the BBC Singers, Guildhall School’s musicians, and soprano Anu Komsi. 

JEAN SIBELIUS | FINLANDIA | BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SAKARI ORAMO | BBC PROMS | 2017