1. Jukka-Pekka Saraste was born on 22 April 1956 and is a Finnish conductor and violinist.
12 Facts About Jukka-Pekka Saraste
1. 2.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste was trained as a violinist at the Conservatory of Music in Lahti and later studied conducting at the Sibelius Academy with Jorma Panula in the same class as Esa-Pekka Salonen and Osmo Vanska.
3.
In 2000, Jukka-Pekka Saraste founded the Ekenas Summer Concerts-Festival with the Finnish Chamber Orchestra, and he is currently the artistic advisor to both Festival and Orchestra.
4.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste has directed the Finnish Chamber Orchestra on several tours, including tours in the United States and China.
5.
In 1987, Jukka-Pekka Saraste became the chief conductor of the RSO, and held the position until 2001.
6.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste now holds the title of Conductor Laureate of the RSO.
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Jukka-Pekka Saraste has twice recorded the complete symphonies of Jean Sibelius with the RSO.
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Jukka-Pekka Saraste became Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1994.
9.
From 2002 to 2005, Jukka-Pekka Saraste served as the principal guest conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
10.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music in 2000.
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Jukka-Pekka Saraste has received a Doctor honoris causa from York University, and he is a Sibelius Medallist.
12.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste received the Insignia of Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland in 2023.