The 1983 replacement of an indisposed Michael Tilson Thomas to conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London launched the career of Esa-Pekka Salonen. Born in Helsinki in 1958, this Finnish musician initially prioritized composition, turning to the podium primarily to ensure his own scores reached the concert stage.
Early Development and Collaborative Beginnings
Salonen graduated from Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu in 1977 before advancing his studies at the Sibelius Academy. Under the tutelage of Jorma Panula, he developed his conducting skills alongside peers Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Osmo Vänskä. His formative years included collaboration with Magnus Lindberg, co-founding the contemporary music advocacy group Korvat auki and the experimental collective Toimii. His compositional education featured mentorship from Franco Donatoni, Niccolò Castiglioni, and Einojuhani Rautavaara.
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Following a 1984 United States debut, Salonen served as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1992 until 2009. During this period, he oversaw 120 premieres and 54 commissions. The orchestra participated in the 1992 Salzburg Festival, providing the pit music for Olivier Messiaen’s Saint François d'Assise. After stepping down as music director, he retained the title of Conductor Laureate. His influence extended to the institutional growth of the ensemble, supporting fundraising efforts for the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
International Appointments and Compositional Recognition
Salonen directed the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1984 to 1995 and led the Philharmonia Orchestra in London between 2008 and 2021. He later served as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 2020 to 2025. In 2012, he received the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for his violin concerto written for Leila Josefowicz. His 2009 Metropolitan Opera debut featured a production of Leoš Janáček’s From the House of the Dead.
Institutional Contributions
In 2003, Salonen co-founded the Baltic Sea Festival with Michael Tydén and Valery Gergiev to promote environmental awareness and cultural cohesion among nations bordering the Baltic Sea. Throughout his career, he has been honored with the Pro Finlandia Medal, the Officer of Arts and Letters, and the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Helsinki, Finland
- Education: Sibelius Academy; Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu
- Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director: 1992–2009
- Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition: 2012
- Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor: 2008–2021
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire: 2020
- San Francisco Symphony Music Director: 2020–2025
- Citizenship: Finland
Questions readers ask
What led Salonen to start conducting?
He initially took up conducting to ensure that his own musical compositions would be performed.
Did Salonen lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic during his career?
Yes, he served as the orchestra's tenth music director from 1992 to 2009 and currently holds the title of Conductor Laureate.
Achievements
- Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland — 1992
- Finnish Music Hall of Fame — 2019
- Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland — 2019
- Instruments: horn
- Genres: opera, classical music and contemporary classical music
