HK Phil’s 2024-25 season begins with 24-year-old Finnish conductor – and future music director – Tarmo Peltokoski
Tarmo Peltokoski has been named the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s music director from 2026-27 – ahead of the transition the Nordic upstart kicks off the orchestra’s new season with a programme of Sibelius and Bruckner
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is set to commence its 51st season with a spectacular opening concert featuring the Hong Kong debut of the acclaimed Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich and the return of Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski.
The event promises to be a highlight of the classical music calendar, showcasing the ethereal beauty of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and the profound depth of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 – but beyond that, it’s a vision of the future of the world of classical music, with both headlining talents born in the year 2000 or after.
Known for his exceptional technique and expressive performances, 23-year-old Lozakovich began playing the violin at the age of six and made his solo debut at nine with the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. In 2016, he won the Vladimir Spivakov International Violin Competition and signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon in the same year. To date, Lozakovich has released four albums, with his debut work reaching the top of classical charts in France and Germany.
In Hong Kong, Lozakovich is due to take centre stage with Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. Renowned for its lyrical beauty and technical demands, the concerto is celebrated for its haunting melodies and emotional depth, offering a rich tapestry of sound that is both challenging and rewarding for performers and audiences alike.
Alongside Lozakovich, Tarmo Peltokoski will lead the orchestra in a performance of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9. This symphony, dedicated “dem lieben Gott” (to the beloved God), is a monumental work in the symphonic repertoire. Although left unfinished, it stands as a testament to Bruckner’s deep spiritual and artistic devotion.
