Intervju med Klaus Mäkelä

– What are your expectations for this new appointment?
I love the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and I am really looking forward to conducting them regularly. Together we are exploring some very different, and really exciting, repertoire. Really exciting! I am looking forward also to building our relationship.

– You have recently conducted the SRSO – what was your experience?
I conducted the SRSO in September. From the first rehearsal we connected in so many ways. The connection and relationship between a conductor and an orchestra is different every time of course, but this time the connection was immediate. It really was. There are so many great things about the SRSO, it’s such a great orchestra with a wonderful atmosphere.

– Which are the two most important factors that have inspired and created such a fantastic line-up of great Finnish conductors?
First to say, I think that Finns have a need to be individual – it is a real Finnish quality! Another important factor is that we have such a great orchestral network. As a young conductor you can work with amazing orchestras very early on in your career. And a third, very important, thing is that almost every Finn has the same conducting teacher – Jorma Panula. He revolutionised the method for teaching conducting and developed a technique that is now used worldwide.

– Which are the two most important factors that have inspired you to becoming a conductor?
When I was about 7 I was singing in the Finnish National Opera’s children’s choir. My first opera was Carmen, conducted by Hannu Lintu. I remember that feeling of being faced with this incredible artform of the opera. It was from that moment I started wanting to be a conductor. I was already playing the cello at this time, and then from 12 years old I started studying conducting. The second most inspiring factor is the music itself – the repertoire for a conductor is so wide – you can do so many things, it’s so fascinating.

– What is your relation to Stockholm and Sweden?
When I visited Stockholm in September to conduct the SRSO, it was my first visit after many years to the city. I love Stockholm – it’s such a nice city. It has a great atmosphere, so cultural and feels very European. And I am so thankful to Sweden – my debut at Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra was an important moment in my career.