Korea's KBS Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Conductor

Finnish conductor Pietari Inkinen will serve as Chief Conductor and Music Director, effective January 2022 through the end of 2024

A graduate of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Inkinen currently serves as chief conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbruecken and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also conducted distinguished ensembles internationally, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, NDR Hamburg, SWR Stuttgart, and the BBC Philharmonic.

Inkinen has performed with the KBS Symphony Orchestra several times prior to his appointment. The chief conductor position was previously held by Yoel Levi in 2019 and has been empty for two years.

“I was touched by the orchestra members’ fearless dedication and their beautiful musical performance,” Inkinen said in a Korean press release. “We will strive to perform great music across Korea, not just in Seoul.”