Sakari Oramo extends his contract as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

We are delighted to announce that Sakari Oramo’s contract as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra has been extended until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The remarkable relationship between Oramo and the BBC SO, currently in its ninth season, has seen the orchestra explore a wealth of new and rarely performed work alongside core repertoire including symphony cycles by Sibelius and Nielsen at the orchestra’s London home, the Barbican.

They have performed 27 Proms together including five Last Nights.

Sakari Oramo, Chief Conductor, BBC Symphony Orchestra, says: I am very happy and beyond excited to continue in my position as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra until the summer of 2026. On the musical, artistic and human level, I couldn’t imagine any better environment than this musical family consisting of the Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers. I hold dear our contribution to public service broadcasting, bringing the highest quality programming and music making to everyone in the UK and widely overseas.

Paul Hughes, Director, BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and BBC Singers, says: Sakari joined the BBC SO as Chief Conductor for the 2013 Proms and the relationship has strengthened and deepened year-on-year becoming the great musical partnership it is today. Knowing that Sakari will continue in this role through until 2026, to see the orchestra into its new home in Stratford’s East Bank, is fantastic news for the orchestra, for the BBC and for our audiences around the world. I could not be happier.

On 5 October, Oramo and the BBC SO will open their tenth Barbican season together with the world premiere of French composer Sophie Lacaze’s Sighs of the Stars. Boris Giltburg joins them for Rachmaninov’s 2^nd Piano Concerto and the concert concludes with Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite No. 1.

Oramo also leads the first Total Immersion of the BBC SO’s 2022/23 season exploring the life and work of his fellow Finn in Sibelius the Storyteller. Joined by the BBC Singers, musicians from the Guildhall School and soprano Anu Komsi the day consists of talks and music exploring the forests, landscapes, traditions and stories that shaped Sibelius’ distinctive musical vision (9 October).