Tarmo Peltokoski

Born in Vaasa, Peltokoski is of Finnish ancestry on his father's side and Filipino ancestry on his mother's side.{{Cite web |url=https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2017/08/15/maj-lind-kilpailun-2017-suomalaispianistit-tarmo-peltokoski |title=Maj Lind –kilpailun 2017 suomalaispianistit: Tarmo Peltokoski |last1=Tarpila |first1=Laila |last2=Saulo |first2=Sandra |date=15 August 2017 |website=Yle |language=fi |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207193023/https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2017/08/15/maj-lind-kilpailun-2017-suomalaispianistit-tarmo-peltokoski |url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/classical-music/story/2023-01-29/young-finnish-conductor-22-to-make-his-u-s-debut-with-the-san-diego-symphony-this-week | title=Young Finnish conductor, 22, to make his U.S. debut with the San Diego Symphony this week  | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | author=Beth Wood | date=2023-01-29 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080630/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/classical-music/story/2023-01-29/young-finnish-conductor-22-to-make-his-u-s-debut-with-the-san-diego-symphony-this-week | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3225136/meet-filipino-finnish-conductor-who-will-lead-hk-phil-opera-inspired-him-his-mentor-and-why-one-work | title=Meet the Filipino-Finnish conductor who will lead HK Phil: the opera that inspired him, his mentor, and why one work is a must-perform in Hong Kong | work=South China Morning Post | author=Erika Na | date=2023-06-25 | access-date=2023-12-18}} He began piano studies at age 8 at Kuula-opisto in his native city.{{Cite news |date=5 April 2016 |title=Intohimo pianonsoittoon johti kilpailun voittoon |trans-title=Passion for playing the piano led to winning the competition |url=https://ilkkapohjalainen.fi/vaasalehti/muut/intohimo-pianonsoittoon-johti-kilpailun-voittoon-1.2026296 |work=Ilkka-Pohjalainen |language=fi |archive-date=26 July 2024 |access-date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726230000/https://ilkkapohjalainen.fi/vaasalehti/muut/intohimo-pianonsoittoon-johti-kilpailun-voittoon-1.2026296 |url-status=live }} At age 14, Peltokoski's father contacted Jorma Panula about accepting his son for conducting studies. At his annual master class in Vaasa, Panula met Peltokoski, and subsequently accepted him as a private conducting student for the next four years. He had studied in the Helsinki Conservatory of Music and the Eira High School for Adults but later dropped out in pursuit of his passion.{{Cite news |last=Mattila |first=Mattias |date=17 August 2017 |title=Tarmo Peltokoski, 17, yrittää naurattaa raatia säveltämällään kappaleella –Maj Lind -pianokilpailu alkaa |trans-title=Tarmo Peltokoski, 17, tries to make the jury laugh with a song he composed – Maj Lind Piano Competition begins |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-9780234 |publisher=Yle |language=fi}} In 2017, he competed in the International Maj Lind Piano Competition.{{Cite news |date=17 August 2017 |title=Neljännen kansainvälisen Maj Lind -pianokilpailun aloittaa Tarmo Peltokoski |trans-title=The fourth International Maj Lind Piano Competition will be opened by Tarmo Peltokoski |url=https://www.ess.fi/paikalliset/139969 |work=Etelä-Suomen Sanomat |language=fi}} He played his own étude Neoclassical Impression on the first round of the competition; however, he was eliminated before the semi-final.{{Cite news |date=23 August 2017 |title=Pianisti Tarmo Peltokoski putosi jatkosta Maj Lind -pianokilpailussa |trans-title=Pianist Tarmo Peltokoski was eliminated from the Maj Lind Piano Competition |url=https://ilkkapohjalainen.fi/pohjalaisen-arkisto/pianisti-tarmo-peltokoski-putosi-jatkosta-maj-lind-pianokilpailussa-1.2373821 |work=Ilkka-Pohjalainen |language=fi}}

Peltokoski continued his music studies at the Sibelius Academy, where his conducting instructors included Sakari Oramo, before leaving the institution without a degree. His other conducting mentors have included Hannu Lintu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.{{cite web | url=https://bachtrack.com/interview-tarmo-peltokoski-rotterdam-philharmonic-september-2023 | title=Conducting as second nature: Tarmo Peltokoski on coming to Rotterdam  | work=Bachtrack | author=Michael Klier | date=2023-09-06 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080630/https://bachtrack.com/interview-tarmo-peltokoski-rotterdam-philharmonic-september-2023 | url-status=live }}

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen invited Peltokoski for a guest-conducting engagement in late 2020,{{cite news | url=https://weta.org/fm/classical-score/gen-z-takes-over-concert-hall-stage-tarmo-peltokoski-makes-his-nso-debut | title=Gen Z Takes Over the Concert Hall Stage: Tarmo Peltokoski Makes His NSO Debut  | work=WETA | author=Nicole Lacroix | date=2023-11-08 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080631/https://weta.org/fm/classical-score/gen-z-takes-over-concert-hall-stage-tarmo-peltokoski-makes-his-nso-debut | url-status=live }} at the suggestion of Pekka Kuusisto and Iiro Rantala. Peltokoski first guest-conducted the orchestra in a public concert in June 2021.{{cite web | url=https://fmq.fi/articles/this-is-what-ive-been-preparing-for-all-my-life-conductor-tarmo-peltokoski | title="This is what I've been preparing for all my life" – conductor Tarmo Peltokoski  | work=Finnish Music Quarterly | author=Auli Särkiö-Pitkänen | date=2023-01-11 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080632/https://fmq.fi/articles/this-is-what-ive-been-preparing-for-all-my-life-conductor-tarmo-peltokoski | url-status=live }} In January 2022, the orchestra appointed Peltokoski its principal guest conductor, the first conductor to be granted that title in the orchestra's history.{{cite press release | url=https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-principal-guest-conductor-of-the-deutsche-kammerphilharmonie-bremen/ | title=Tarmo Peltokoski named "Principal Guest Conductor" of The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen  | publisher=Dorn Music | date=28 January 2022 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080632/https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-principal-guest-conductor-of-the-deutsche-kammerphilharmonie-bremen/ | url-status=live }}

In January 2022, Peltokoski first guest-conducted the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO). In May 2022, the LNSO announced the appointment of Peltokoski as its next music director and artistic director, effective with the 2022–2023 season.{{cite press release | url=https://en.lnso.lv/post/finnish-conductor-tarmo-peltokoski-named-as-new-music-and-artistic-director-of-the-latvian-national | title=Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski named as new Music and Artistic Director of the Latvian National | publisher=Latvijas Nacionālais simfoniskais orķestris | date=12 May 2022 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=9 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209203909/https://en.lnso.lv/post/finnish-conductor-tarmo-peltokoski-named-as-new-music-and-artistic-director-of-the-latvian-national | url-status=live }}

In May 2022, Peltokoski first guest-conducted the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (RPhO). On the basis of this appearance, the RPhO announced the appointment of Peltokoski as its next principal guest conductor, effective with the 2023–2024 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.{{cite press release | title=Tarmo Peltokoski vaste gastdirigent | url=https://www.rotterdamsphilharmonisch.nl/het-orkest/news-wonder/tarmo-peltokoski-vaste-gastdirigent | publisher=Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra | date=14 September 2022 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=11 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211045113/https://www.rotterdamsphilharmonisch.nl/het-orkest/news-wonder/tarmo-peltokoski-vaste-gastdirigent | url-status=live }}

In September 2022, Peltokoski first guest-conducted the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse. He returned for an additional guest-conducting appearance in October 2022. In December 2022, the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse announced the appointment of Peltokoski as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season, with an initial contract of four seasons. He is to hold the title of music director-designate for the 2024-2025 season.{{cite press release | url=https://onct.toulouse.fr/tarmo-peltokoski-nomme-directeur-musical/ | title=Tarmo Peltokoski nommé directeur musical | publisher=Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse | date=14 December 2022 | access-date=2023-12-18}}{{cite press release | url=https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-announced-as-music-director-of-the-orchestre-national-du-capitole-de-toulouse/ | title=Tarmo Peltokoski announced as Music Director of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse | publisher=Dorn Music | date=13 December 2022 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=4 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304213251/https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-announced-as-music-director-of-the-orchestre-national-du-capitole-de-toulouse/ | url-status=live }}

In January 2023, Peltokoski made his guest-conducting debuts in North America with the San Diego Symphony and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title=Review {{!}} TSO: Tarmo Peltokoski and Jonathan Crow Memorable - my/maSCENA |url=https://myscena.org/andrea-rush/review-tso-tarmo-peltokoski-and-jonathan-crow-memorable/,%20https://myscena.org/andrea-rush/review-tso-tarmo-peltokoski-and-jonathan-crow-memorable/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=myscena.org |language=en-US}} In October 2023, Peltokoski signed a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon (DG).{{cite press release | url=https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-signs-exclusive-contract-with-deutsche-grammophon/ | title=Tarmo Peltokoski Signs Exclusive Contract with Deutsche Grammophon  | publisher=Dorn Music | date=17 October 2023 | access-date=2023-12-18 | archive-date=18 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218080632/https://dornmusic.com/tarmo-peltokoski-signs-exclusive-contract-with-deutsche-grammophon/ | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Tarmo Peltokoski Signs Exclusive Contract with Deutsche Grammophon - Tarmo Peltokoski |url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/tarmo-peltokoski/news/tarmo-peltokoski-signs-exclusive-contract-with-deutsche-grammophon-271177 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Deutsche Grammophon |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Tarmo Peltokoski signs exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon |url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/tarmo-peltokoski-signs-exclusive-contract-with-deutsche-grammophon |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Gramophone |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213190506/https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/tarmo-peltokoski-signs-exclusive-contract-with-deutsche-grammophon |url-status=live }} His debut album for DG was released in May 2024, with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, in recordings of Mozart symphonies.{{cite news | url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000010510375.html | title=Tarmo Peltokoski pitää hauskaa vääntelemällä Mozartia loistokkaasti | work=Helsingin Sanomat | author=Jukka Isopuro | date=2024-06-22 | access-date=2024-06-24}}

Peltokoski first guest-conducted the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2023. In July 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Peltokoski as its next music director, effective with the 2026-2027 season, with an initial contract of four years. He is to hold the title of music director-designate for the 2025-2026 season.{{cite news | url=https://apnews.com/article/tarmo-peltokoski-hong-kong-philharmonic-7d5a23783ebc12d2c53c4e820759c259 | title=Tarmo Peltokoski, 24-year-old Finnish conductor, to become Hong Kong Philharmonic music director | work=AP News | author=Ronald Blum | date=2024-07-04 | access-date=2024-07-04 | archive-date=9 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709034646/https://apnews.com/article/tarmo-peltokoski-hong-kong-philharmonic-7d5a23783ebc12d2c53c4e820759c259 | url-status=live }}

In March 2024, Classic FM selected Peltokoski as one of their 30 'Rising Stars' of the year.{{cite news | url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/rising-stars-30-young-musicians-2024/ | title=Classic FM's Rising Stars 2024: 30 young musicians reshaping classical music | work=Classic FM | author=Kyle McDonald | date=2024-03-14 | access-date=2024-03-28}}

• Mysteeri (Mystery) (for solo piano){{Cite web |title=Vuotalo - Tapahtumat |url=https://www.vuotalo.fi/fi/tapahtumat/event/40B984A191663313F07C35ADF1E17DD0/Tarmo_Peltokoski |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=www.vuotalo.fi |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627121854/https://www.vuotalo.fi/fi/tapahtumat/event/40B984A191663313F07C35ADF1E17DD0/Tarmo_Peltokoski |url-status=live }}
• Neoklassinen Impressio (Neoclassical Impression) (Etude for solo piano){{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygdKqiC--5I |title=Tarmo Peltokoski Neoclassical Impression |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2024-06-27 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=IV kansainvälinen Maj Lind -pianokilpailu: Tarmo Peltokoski (Fin). Alkuerä - Preliminary round {{!}} Maj Lind 2017 |url=https://areena.yle.fi/1-4209168 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=areena.yle.fi |language=fi |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627122225/https://areena.yle.fi/1-4209168 |url-status=live }}
• Loitsu (Spell) (improvisation for solo piano){{Cite web |last=Ikonen |first=Petri |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Loitsu (Spell) |url=https://vimeo.com/130973698 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=Vimeo |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922065950/https://vimeo.com/130973698 |url-status=live }}
• Nephesh (for string quartet){{Cite web |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Seele-Kvartetti La... - Mäntän Musiikkijuhlat - Mänttä Music Festival _ Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/mantanmusiikkijuhlat/posts/pfbid0PJez7PttDHxen4GfMcVZn41kfqpAf4YyebydbSdGBRDWFum1CXcNsdig3tXhwLN7l |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Facebook}}{{better reference needed|date=September 2024}}
• Improvisation on Mozart's "Haffner" Symphony{{cite news | url=https://www.welt.de/kultur/article251999766/Neuer-Dirigentenstar-Tarmo-Peltokoski-ein-Name-den-man-sich-merken-sollte.html | title=Tarmo Peltokoski – ein Name, den man sich merken sollte | work=Welt | author=Manuel Brug | date=2024-06-27 | access-date=2024-06-28}}
• Improvisation on Mozart's Symphony No. 40
• Improvisation on Mozart's "Linz" Symphony
• Trio (for violin, violoncello and piano){{cite web | author= | title=Concert programme 16 May 2026: Kammermusik - Tarmo Peltokoski & Friends | url=https://www.konzerthaus-dortmund.de/de/programm/16-05-2026-tarmo-peltokoski-friends | newspaper=Konzerthaus Dortmund | date=April 2025 | access-date=2025-04-07}}
• Nostalghia (for violin and piano)

• Mozart: Mozart Symphonies (No. 35, "Haffner"; No. 36, "Linz"; No. 40 in G minor) [with The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen] (2024, Deutsche Grammophon)

• 2018: Young Musician of the Year by the Pro Musica Foundation
• 2022: Rheingau Musik Festival Lotto Prize
• 2023: OPUS Klassik "Young Talent of the Year (Conducting)" ("Oskar Bohme: Trumpet Concerto & Pieces" with The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and trumpet player Matthias Höfs)

{{reflist}}

• [https://dornmusic.com/portfolio/tarmo-peltokoski/ Dorn Music agency page on Tarmo Peltokoski]
• [https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/tarmo-peltokoski/ Deutsche Grammophon label page on Tarmo Peltokoski]

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{{succession box | title=Music Director, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra | before=Andris Poga | years=2022–present | after=incumbent}}

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Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Vaasa

Category:Finnish conductors (music)

Category:Finnish classical pianists

Category:Male conductors (music)

Category:21st-century Finnish male musicians

Category:Deutsche Grammophon artists

Category:Finnish people of Filipino descent

Category:Pupils of Jorma Panula