The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) has announced that Finnish violinist and conductor Pekka Kuusisto will become its next Chief Conductor, beginning in April 2028. His initial tenure will span three years.
Before taking up the role, Kuusisto will serve as Artist in Residence with the orchestra from April 2026 to March 2028, contributing both as conductor and violinist.
“I have been an admirer of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra from our first rehearsal together,” Kuusisto said. “It is a gift to now become a member of this great musical family. I feel a joyous responsibility for understanding the musical pulse of Tokyo, and how it resonates within Japanese cultural life. As a Finn, I believe we share certain ideals of shape, movement, and concentration, and I am looking forward to exploring them with my friends and colleagues in the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.”
TMSO conductor roster changes
Kuusisto’s appointment comes amid a broader restructuring of the TMSO’s artistic leadership:
- Kazushi Ono, Music Director since 2015, will conclude his tenure in March 2026. He will then serve as Artistic Advisor for two years before becoming Conductor Laureate.
- Alan Gilbert, currently Principal Guest Conductor, will take on the title of Permanent Guest Conductor / Music Partner from April 2026, though he will be on sabbatical during the 2026/27 season.
- Daniele Rustioni will join as Principal Guest Conductor from April 2026, for an initial three-year term.
- Kazuhiro Koizumi continues as Honorary Conductor for Life, and Eliahu Inbal remains Conductor Laureate.
The orchestra’s season follows the Japanese fiscal year (April–March).
About Pekka Kuusisto
Born in 1976 into a distinguished Finnish musical family, Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and original voices on today’s classical music scene. He was the first Finn to win the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in 1995 and has since built a career that bridges traditional repertoire, folk influences, electronic improvisation, and cross-genre collaborations.
Kuusisto has appeared with leading orchestras including the Finnish Radio Symphony, Oslo Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Toronto Symphony, and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. He is also a passionate advocate of contemporary music, having premiered works such as Sebastian Fagerlund’s Violin Concerto and Nico Muhly’s Shrink. Beyond the concert hall, he has composed for film, television, and multimedia projects, and serves as Artistic Director of Our Festival in Järvenpää, Finland.
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