In the autumn of 2025, conductor Hannu Lintu will become the artistic partner of Lahti Symphony Orchestra. The contract will be valid until further notice, and Lintu will conduct four concert weeks a year in Lahti. He will also serve as artistic director of the International Sibelius Festival.

Maija Kylkilahti, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s general manager, is delighted with the appointment. ‘We have been looking for an internationally renowned conductor as a partner with whom we could continue to develop our touring and recording activities in addition to our concert work. There is an obvious rapport between Hannu, the orchestra and the audience, which can be seen and heard in the end result. We are delighted that he would like to work more closely with us.’

The orchestra has a long and successful relationship with BIS Records and this collaboration will continue under Lintu. ‘Discussions about recording projects are ongoing’, says Kylkilahti.

Hannu Lintu sees many exciting aspects to the future collaboration: ‘I have been working with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra for more than two decades. Each concert has convinced me afresh that the orchestra is exceptionally talented and ambitious. At this stage, a closer relationship seems natural. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work on the Sibelius Festival programme.’

Mikaela Palmu, the orchestra’s leader, sums up the orchestra’s thoughts on the coming partnership, while highlighting Lintu’s imaginative repertoire choices. ‘At the orchestra we are excited about this future collaboration and feel that this is an excellent way to continue a successful collaboration. We greatly admire Lintu’s artistic approach and his exceptional programme planning.’

The current principal conductor Dalia Stasevska’s term will end in the spring of 2025. Hannu Lintu will not be a direct replacement for her, and the orchestra will aim to find a new principal conductor in the near future.

Hannu Lintu will next appear with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra in October. Among the other orchestras he will conduct this year are the Chicago and Boston Symphony Orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. This summer he will conduct a new production of Debussy’s Pélleas and Mélisande at the Bavarian State Opera.

Hannu Lintu’s website.