Sakari Oramo

Born October 26th, 1965, Sakari Markus Oramo is a Finnish conductor known for his quiet authority and passionate delivery. He has served as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 2013, and also holds the titles Conductor Laureate of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Honorary Conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Oramo began his career as a violinist and served as Concert Master before focussing his attention instead on conducting. In 1989, he enrolled in Jorma Panula’s class at the Sibelius Academy, completing his studies three years later before making his debut as a last minute stand-in with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1993.

In 1996, Oramo was appointed Principal Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and two years later to the dual roles of Music Director and Artistic Advisor. During his decade long tenure in these posts, he led the orchestra’s Elgar sesquicentenary celebrations (2007) and was renowned for his championing of lesser known English composers, most notably John Foulds. When he stepped down as Music Director in 2008, Oramo continued his association with the CBSO, serving as Principal Guest Conductor for the duration of the 2008 - 2009 season.

Following an acclaimed performance as Guest Conductor with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in October, 2011, Oramo was announced as their next Chief Conductor effective from the first night of the 2013 proms. His initial three year contract has subsequently been extended multiple times with the current arrangement running until the end of the 2030 season.

Additionally, Oramo has had long and successful spells with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. As a guest he has conducted many of the world’s top orchestras and is internationally renowned for the elegance and structural cohesion of his performances as well as his continued commitment to championing new and rarely performed works.