Finnish Conductor Leif Segerstam has Died, Aged 80

Segerstam was chief conductor emeritus of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and led many leading orchestras worldwide

The internationally acclaimed conductor, violinist, pianist, and composer Leif Segerstam has passed away following a short illness, YLE reported.

Born in 1944, Segerstam studied at the Sibelius Academy and The Juilliard School and began his conducting career in the opera houses of Helsinki, Stockholm, and Berlin. 

He later served as chief conductor of the Austrian and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestras, plus the Royal Swedish Opera, and as director of the Finnish National Opera. 

Notably, Segerstam was chief conductor emeritus of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and held honorary titles with the Malmö Opera, the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, and the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. 

As a guest conductor, he led the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Vienna Radio Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

He also made guest appearances at various international opera houses and festivals and was one of the most important ambassadors for Sibelius’s 2015 anniversary year. 

Segerstam’s discography features recordings of works by contemporary composers as well as the complete symphonies of Mahler, Sibelius, Nielsen, and more. 

The composer of 371 symphonies, he also served as professor of conducting at the Sibelius Academy from 1997 to 2013.

Among his accolades include the 1999 Nordic Council Music Prize and the 2003 Swedish Cultural Foundation’s Prize for Music. In 2004, he was awarded the annual Finnish State Prize for Music and was presented the Sibelius Medal the following year.

“Very sad news that my teacher and mentor at The Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki Leif Segerstam has passed away,” conductor Rune Bergmann posted on Facebook. “There are so many stories and memories that will live forever. Leif Segerstam was so much that it would be impossible to explain, but I would for sure never been a conductor without him. Thank you for the music Maestro and rest in peace.”

Our condolences to Mr. Segerstam’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.