In this update, John Storgårds takes over from Alexander Shelley as the new leader of the CNA (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra).
John Storgårds, a 62-year-old Finnish conductor, is set to release his next album on October 3, featuring violin concertos by Edward Elgar and Thomas Adès, performed by Christian Tetzlaff. The album will be released by Ondine.
Storgårds, known for his straightforward and energetic approach to music, has a rich discography. His recordings include Sibelius' Symphonies (2014) and Nielsen's (2015) on the Chandos label. He has also recorded multiple CDs with labels such as Dacapo, BIS, and Ondine.
Storgårds' passion for music extends beyond the classical canon. He has included works by Kaija Saariaho, Sunleif Rasmussen, Sebastian Fagerlund, Betsy Jolas, Outi Tarkiainen, and Victoria Poleva in his programming. He is currently working on a complete Shostakovich cycle, with Symphonies No. 1 and 3 recently released.
Storgårds has made a significant impact on the international stage. He made his debut with the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra in 2013 and became its first guest conductor in 2015. He has also conducted the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) on several occasions.
In addition to his work with the NAC Orchestra, Storgårds is currently the Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic, with his contract extended until 2028. He is also the Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra in Finland. Besides, he has been the Artistic Director of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra for nearly 30 years.
Storgårds' concerts are described as "marked by pure musical communication and passion." The NAC Orchestra, with whom he has worked on symphonies by Rachmaninov, Vaughan Williams, Nielsen, Sibelius, among others, highlights that he has the experience necessary to keep the orchestra motivated after Alexander Shelley's mandate.
Storgårds' training as a conductor was under the famous Jorma Panula. His first major contract was as the Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic. In 2026-2027, he will assume the role of the NAC Orchestra's Music Director.
Storgårds has a series of CDs dedicated to the little-known American composer George Antheil. He may now need to show an interest in local composers and potentially export them to Finland, as he continues to make his mark on the global music scene.
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