About
Sakari Oramo (born 1965) is a distinguished Finnish conductor known for his insightful interpretations of both Nordic composers (like Sibelius and Nielsen) and British music (like Elgar and John Foulds). He began his career as a violinist and concertmaster before transitioning to conducting, and is currently the long-standing Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a post he has held since 2013
Born in Helsinki, Finland in 1965, Sakari Oramo began his career as a violinist with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra before transitioning to conducting in 1993. His conducting debut was a success, leading to his appointment as associate chief conductor.
Oramo's major tenures include:
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City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1998-2008), where he promoted contemporary music and English composers like John Foulds; awarded the Elgar Medal in 2008.
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Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (2008-2021).
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Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (2003-2012).
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BBC Symphony Orchestra (2013-present), with an extended contract through 2030.
Known for his "crystalline structural cohesion and passion," Oramo leads "from the front" and advocates for new music. He is married to soprano Anu Komsi and has two sons. Oramo is a professor at the Sibelius Academy and an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).