John Storgårds

Having begun his career as a violinist, John Storgårds is one of the most remark- able Finn reish conductors of his generation. He is widely recognised for his creative flair for programming and his commitment to contemporary music. As well as holding positions as chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (2008–15), artistic director of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra (since 1996) and principal guest conductor of the BBC Philharmonic (since 2012) he has made guest appearances with, for example, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Danish National Orchestra and the orchestras of Cincinnati, Washington, St Louis, Boston and Cleveland.
Storgårds has made numerous acclaimed recordings with various orchestras, featuring not only standard repertoire but also rarities and contemporary music. He also appears frequently as a chamber musician and violinist at festivals (for in- stance the Avanti! chamber orchestra’s Suvisoitto [Summer Sounds]), and as a violin soloist with orchestras.
Storgårds studied orchestral conducting, composition and violin playing in Fin- land – where his teachers included Esther Rautio and Jouko Ignatius – and in Israel under the legendary violinist Chaim Taub. He gained his conducting diploma from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki in 1997. He received the Finnish State Prize for Music in 2002 and the Pro Finlandia Prize in 2012.