Jukka-Pekka Saraste

Conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste is a founding member of the LEAD! Foundation, a mentorship programme for young conductors and soloists. Based in Finland, the foundation has run projects in Stockholm, Lausanne, Dortmund and Sofia. In 2020, he created the annual Fiskars Summer Festival, an international platform for both Finnish and international artists to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of conductors from all around the world.   

In April 2022, Jukka Pekka Saraste was announced as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. He began his tenure in September 2023.  

Current artistic plans include Sibelius & Saraste, a series in which all of Jean Sibelius’ symphonies will be recorded as high-quality multi-camera productions. The series launched on 7 November 2024 with Sibelius’ Symphony no.5 at Helsinki Musiikkitalo and was broadcast live, worldwide on Deutsche Grammophon’s classical music streaming platform STAGE+ and ARTE Concert. 

Sibelius & Saraste is particularly significant because of the orchestra’s historical connection with the composer. Originally founded in 1882, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra premiered most of Sibelius’ orchestral works, often conducted by the composer himself. This close historical connection between the HPO and Sibelius gives the current project extra depth and authenticity. For Saraste the complete series aims to create the atmosphere of a live concert experience, bringing the story of Sibelius’ orchestra to a wider (international) audience. 

Recordings so far include Sibelius’ Symphonies nos. 1 to 3 and nos.6 & 7. Symphony no.4 will be recorded in April 2025 to mark the 160th anniversary of Sibelius birth. The entire Sibelius & Saraste series will be viewable in its entirety during the anniversary year.