At the top of the list since the fall, conductor Tarmo Peltokoski, 22, was appointed yesterday to replace Tugan Sokhiev at the head of the Capitol orchestra. He will only be in post from September 2024.
We had been talking regarding it for weeks but it was only made official yesterday morning by Jean-Luc Moudenc, mayor of Toulouse and president of the metropolis: the Finn Tarmo Peltokoski will indeed be the replacement for Tugan Sokhiev as musical director of the Orchestra Capitol National. At 22, he is even younger than his predecessor when he started his collaboration with the Toulouse team. He is described by all as a real phenomenon.
Why did the Capitol choose Tarmo Peltokoski?
Thierry d’Argoubet then Jean-Baptiste Fra, his successor as deputy director of the Orchester du Capitole, had spotted the young prodigy since last year, especially when he had conducted the orchestras of Radio France and Rotterdam. This led to a first contract, on September 9, 2022 in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, then a second, on October 21, at the Halle aux grains in Toulouse. In both cases, the reception was dithyrambic, as much from the musicians as from the spectators and the critics. “Everyone noted the incredible complicity between the orchestra and the conductor, explains Jean-Luc Moudenc. We sought the opinion of all the parties concerned and worked in a convergent manner with the musicians and the administration of the Capitole so that a lasting relationship might be established. I’m glad we reached an agreement so quickly. »
What advantages has Toulouse been able to put forward?
Nothing has been revealed of the financial terms of the contract signed with Tarmo Peltokoski. But, insists Claire Roserot de Melin, general administrator of the Orchester du Capitole, “it was not the money that prevailed in the discussion, other orchestras making more important offers”.
Two essential elements came into play: the possibility for the Finnish artist to conduct both symphonic works and operas, and the perfect harmony that very quickly reigned with the Toulouse musicians and, beyond that, with the whole team. of the Capitol. Very early on, Tarmo Peltokoski, for example, became familiar with the work of Wagner to the point, it seems, of knowing it by heart.
What is the content of his contract?
Contracts being signed a very long time in advance in the world of classical music, Tarmo Peltokoski will not actually be musical director of the Orchester du Capitole until September 1, 2024. He will work in Toulouse between 12 and 14 weeks per season and will devote itself each year to an opera (6 in total over 5 years). Until then, the Capitole will be run by guest chefs… including Tugan Sokhiev, twice, in March and June 2023, and probably several times also during the following season.
What was Tarmo Peltokoski’s first reaction?
In a message addressed to the musicians, the young conductor declared himself “very happy and moved to join (them)” speaking of an “instantly pleasant and very musically inspiring relationship”. Paying tribute to the “fantastic job done by Tugan Sokhiev”, he concluded by saying that he accepted this new position with “humility and excitement”.
When will he find the Orchester du Capitole?
For the Halle aux grains, we will have to wait for the 2023-2024 season. Despite his many commitments, the Finnish conductor has managed to free himself for the Colmar festival where he will conduct the Capitole, twice, on July 8 and 9, 2023. The next day, he will meet the Toulouse musicians in the prestigious setting of the Concertgebouw d ‘Amsterdam…just before a series of ‘Star Wars’ concerts called ‘The Force Awakens’. We can not say it better !
La fantastique Ascension de Tarmo Peltokoski
Coming from the famous Finnish orchestra conducting school, the young conductor began his studies with Professor Jorma Panula at the age of 14. A renowned pianist, he has won numerous competitions and has played as a soloist with all the major orchestras of his country. Tarmo Peltokoski also studied composition and arrangement. He particularly likes musical comedy and improvisation. He is currently attached to the Bremen Philharmonic and the Latvian Symphony Orchestra. He has also just been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra starting next season.
