The board of the Oslo Philharmonic has announced the engagement of Finnish conductor and cellist Klaus Mäkelä as Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the orchestra starting in August 2020.

The new contract will see Mäkelä in an initial three-year contract beginning in August 2020 with the Oslo Philharmonic’s current Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko, ending his tenure following the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season in the summer of 2020.

“Klaus Mäkelä is impressive in so many ways. When he worked with the orchestra earlier this year there was an immediate connection,” said Ingrid Røynesdal, CEO of the Oslo Philharmonic, in a press release. “His profound musicianship and strong artistic interpretations have already marked him out as a unique presence internationally. We are very fortunate to be able to engage him and we are looking forward to an exceptional and powerful artistic relationship for the future.”

“When I first met the orchestra there was an immediate spark of energy between us,” Mäkelä added. “I felt instantly both at home and excited about the musical possibilities. I am so much looking forward to creating and sharing our music with audiences at home in Oslo and Norway, and on tour.”

Mäkelä currently holds the position of Principal Guest Conductor at the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Turku Music Festival, and is Artist in Association with the Tapiola Sinfonietta.