He arrives with “a lot of humility and excitement” at the baton of one of the most famous symphonic groups in France. The young Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski, barely 22 years old, was appointed musical director of the National Capitol Orchestra From toulouse (ONCT), replacing the Russian Tugan Sokhiev who had resigned at the start of the war in Ukraine.
Peltokoski, a product of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, is part of the new generation of brilliant Finnish conductors like Klaus Mäkela, 26, music director of the Orchester de Paris and the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam . Much in demand, also a pianist, he is the musical director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (until 2025), was awarded the title of “Principal Guest Conductor” in January 2022 by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and has just been appointed principal guest conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra starting in the 2023/2024 season.
A five-year contract
Chosen by the mayor of the Pink City Jean-Luc Moudenc (ex-LR), the conductor, who has already conducted the Toulouse orchestra twice, notably in September at the Halle aux Grains, will take up his new position from September 1. 2024, until 2029. He will also conduct six productions of the National Capitol Opera in five seasons.
“The reflection process carried out since 2020 by Toulouse Métropole with the Orchestra and its musicians allows us to make this ambitious and exciting choice, which resolutely turns the orchestra towards the future and will further consolidate Toulouse among the best symphonic ensembles” , says Jean-Luc Moudenc in a press release.
The young prodigy has the difficult task of succeeding Tugan Sokhiev, much loved by his musicians and whose Toulouse adventure ended in a form of misunderstanding a few weeks after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The Russian maestro said he was under pressure to take a stand, referring to a letter from the mayor of Toulouse telling him that he was expected to speak on the war before a concert.
Sokhiev said he could not stand having his “desire for peace” questioned and denounced the “culture of cancellation”. He had resigned from the Capitol and the Bolshoi at the same time.