Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo’s contract with the BBC Symphony Orchestra has been extended until 2030, the orchestra’s centenary year.
Sakari joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2013, and is now the longest serving Chief Conductor of the BBC SO since Adrian Boult. Under Sakari’s tenure the orchestra has explored a wealth of repertoire, earning a reputation for powerhouse performances of works by Finnish and British composers in particular and championing the work of living and historic female composers. The orchestra plays a key role in London’s musical life, performing an annual season at the Barbican where they are Associate Orchestra and featuring prominently in the BBC Proms. This Saturday, Sakari will conduct the orchestra for the Last Night of the Proms, with a programme that includes two World Premieres commissioned by the BBC: Carlos Simon’s Hellfighters’ Blues and Ian Farrington’s Extra Time, in a broad programme that includes the usual Last Night festivities.
Sakari Oramo said: “I am delighted to renew my contract with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. There’s an aspiration, shared by all parties at the BBC, to take the orchestra forward to its centenary in 2030. Big things are planned for the hundredth anniversary and around the orchestra’s move to what will be its purpose-built home at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. We will work hard to establish our presence in that part of London and attract a local audience to the new BBC Music Studios. It’s a great opportunity to take what the BBC Symphony Orchestra is about to a diverse community, especially as we enter prepare to our second century. I am genuinely excited by the potential and the possibilities.”
Bill Chandler said: “I’m so excited to extend one of the great orchestra conductor partnerships of our time. Sakari & the BBC Symphony Orchestra are a profound force in the London musical scene. His relationship with the SO musicians is rather exceptional and under his leadership we look forward to giving audiences years of extraordinary musical experiences.”
On Thursday 26 September Oramo and BBC SO will open their autumn/winter season of concerts at the Barbican with Mahler’s Sixth Symphony.