BBC Symphony Orchestra Renews Chief Conductor Contract

Conductor Sakari Oramo’s tenure with the orchestra has been extended to 2030

London’s BBC Symphony Orchestra has extended Sakari Oramo’s contract as chief conductor until 2030 — the orchestra’s centenary year. His contract has been extended twice before, the latest being in 2020. 

The Finnish conductor joined the BBC Symphony in 2013 and is now the orchestra’s longest-serving chief conductor since Adrian Boult. 

Throughout his tenure, the symphony has performed a wide range of orchestral repertoire and has championed the work of living and historic female composers.

The BBC Symphony presents an annual season at the Barbican Center, where it is the associate orchestra, and features prominently in London’s BBC Proms. The ensemble also performs regularly with its principal guest conductor Dalia Stasevksa, and conducting chair Semyon Bychkov.

Oramo’s upcoming performance with the orchestra will be the Last Night of the Proms in a program featuring the world premieres of Carlos Simon’s Hellfighters’ Blues and Ian Farrington’s Extra Time. Guest artists will include the pianist Stephen Hough and soprano Angel Blue.

On September 26, Oramo and BBC Symphony will open the autumn/winter season of concerts at the Barbican Center with Mahler’s Sixth Symphony.  

“I am delighted to renew my contract with the BBC Symphony Orchestra,” Oramo told BBC Music Magazine. “There’s an aspiration, shared by all parties at the BBC, to take the orchestra forward to its centenary in 2030.

“Big things are planned for the 100th anniversary and around the orchestra’s move to what will be its purpose-built home at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,” Oramo added. “We will work hard to establish our presence in that part of London and attract a local audience to the new BBC Music Studios. It’s a great opportunity to take what the BBC Symphony Orchestra is about to a diverse community … I am genuinely excited by the potential and the possibilities.”