Finnish violinist-conductor Pekka Kuusisto has been appointed chief conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra from April 2028 on an initial three-year contract. In April 2026, he joins the orchestra as artist-in-residence for a two-year term.
Pekka Kuusisto comments:
'I have been an admirer of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra from our first rehearsal together. It is a gift to now become a member of this great musical family. I feel a joyous responsibility for understanding the musical pulse of Tokyo, and how it resonates within Japanese cultural life.
'As a Finn, I believe we share certain ideals of shape, movement and concentration, and I am looking forward to exploring them with my friends and colleagues in the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.'
Who is Pekka Kuusisto?
A violinist of exceptional charisma and charm, Kuusisto has forged a parallel career as a conductor. Currently he serves as artistic director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, principal guest conductor and artistic co-director of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.
In the UK his reputation was sealed at a 2016 BBC Proms concert, in which, following a performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, he had the audience on their feet, singing along during his humorous Finnish folk encore.
