Following up on the recent appointments of Jeremy Denk, Martin Fröst, and Patricia Kopatchinskaja, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is thrilled to announce today that Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto will become one of our Artistic Partners. Pekka is no stranger to Minnesota, having thrilled SPCO and Schubert Club audiences in recent seasons. To get a taste of Pekka’s virtuosity and imagination, below are some media clips from the SPCO’s Listening Library and YouTube. Pekka Kuusisto, photo by Kaapo Kamu. Pekka Kuusisto is internationally renowned as both soloist and director, and for his fresh approach to classical repertoire. An advocate of new music, Kuusisto regularly works with contemporary composers such as Nico Muhly, Thomas Adès and Bryce Dessner. He frequently directs ensembles from the violin, including the Mahler, Australian, and Irish Chamber orchestras in addition to the SPCO. His recent chamber music partners include Iiro Rantala, Anne Sofie von Otter, Kimmo Pohjonen, Nicolas Altstaedt and Kuusisto’s traditional music group, The Luomu Players. Although his Artistic Partnership with the SPCO will not officially start until September 2016, Kuusisto will lead the orchestra next season (April 2-3, 2016) in a program that interweaves contemporary works by a diverse selection of living composers during the first half, and movements from Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 with Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in the second half.

Kuusisto’s most recent Twin Cities appearance for the Schubert Club included a recital of Bach with the accordionist Dermot Dunne at the new Ordway Concert Hall, and a mixed program of solo violin work with juggler Jay Gilligan at Aria in Minneapolis. Our full press release announcing his appointment can be found at thespco.org. SPCO Listening Library: Hear Pekka’s most recent SPCO performance from January 2014 in our online Listening Library. Videos

• Fagerlund : Violin Concerto (Part 1) / (Part 2)
• Traditional: ‘Piupali Paupali’ (Finnish folk song)
• Radial Night: Performance with Mahler Chamber Orchestra, dancers, jugglers and more
• Interview: Kuusisto discusses performance interpretation with composer Owen Pallett