15 Facts About Sakari Oramo

Sakari Oramo is chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Sakari Oramo started his career as a violinist and concertmaster of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Sakari Oramo became principal guest conductor of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra in 1995, and one of its principal conductors in 2009.

In September 1996, Sakari Oramo was named principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, having conducted the CBSO in two concerts prior to that appointment.

Sakari Oramo then assumed the post of music director and artistic advisor in 1998.

Sakari Oramo championed the music of John Foulds in concerts and recordings with the CBSO.

Sakari Oramo was at the forefront of the Edward Elgar sesquicentenary celebrations in 2007, and was awarded the Elgar Medal in 2008 for his efforts in advancing Elgar's music.

From 2003 to 2012, Sakari Oramo was sole principal conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Sakari Oramo has served as its vice chairman and principal conductor.

In September 2008, Sakari Oramo became chief conductor and artistic advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sakari Oramo has made commercial recordings with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic for such labels as BIS.

In March 2023, Sakari Oramo first guest-conducted the Gurzenich Orchestra Cologne.

In October 2011, Sakari Oramo made his first guest conducting appearance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, his first guest-conducting engagement with any London orchestra.

Sakari Oramo has recorded commercially with the BBC SO with such labels as harmonia mundi and Chandos, including the second commercial recording of William Alwyn's Miss Julie.

In May 2009, Sakari Oramo was awarded an honorary OBE for services to music in Birmingham.