Young Finnish Conductor to Replace Gergiev in Rotterdam

The Rotterdam Philharmonic has made the decision to swap out Valery Gergiev with Tarmo Peltokoski in a concert with star pianist Yuja Wang.

This concert, on May 19, 2022, marks the end of Wang's artist residency with the orchestra and will see her performing two major Rachmaninov works: his First Piano Concerto and Paganini Rhapsody. These will be followed by the Second Symphony of Sibelius.

The performance, which you can purchase tickets for here, will also be Peltokoski's debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

Peltokoski is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and is the first conductor to hold this position in the orchestra’s 42-year history.

Peltokoski began his studies with professor emeritus Jorma Panula at the age of 14 and is now studying with Sakari Oramo at the Sibelius Academy. His other teachers include Hannu Lintu and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

Previously, he led the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Sinfonia Lahti, Finnish National Opera, and Kammerorchester Basel, among others.

Also an acclaimed pianist, Peltokoski studies piano at the Sibelius Academy with Antti Hotti and has appeared as a soloist with all major Finnish orchestras.  In 2018, Peltokoski was named Young Musician of the Year by the Pro Musica Foundation