Conductor John Storgårds has been appointed the new Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

The conductor will take over the role in the autumn of 2024, and the four-year term will extend until the end of the spring season in 2028. Storgårds will become the 14th Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

In a statement, Storgårds said “It is a great joy and honor to take on the role, responsibility, and task of Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra at this moment. The orchestra, oldest in Finland and in the oldest and most historic city, is perhaps experiencing its most youthful, renewing, and exciting era as it awaits the new Music Hall Fuuga. I perceive the orchestra as a community hungry, ambitious, and ready in every way for new, even significant challenges and goals. Inspired by this, I will use all my experience and expertise in the best possible way to contribute to the orchestra’s development. I can hardly wait for the first concert season with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra at Fuuga as their Chief Conductor. But before that, let’s make some wonderful final seasons at the Turku Concert Hall.”

Storgårds will play a crucial role as the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra moves to the new Music Hall Fuuga, scheduled to be completed in 2026.

The conductor is considered one of the most successful Finnish conductors of our time and regularly works with the greatest orchestras around the world. He was the Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Artistic Director of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Ottawa National Arts Centre Orchestra.