Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

Finnish Symphony Orchestra

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1882 by composer Robert Kajanus, is the oldest professional symphony orchestra to be founded in the Nordic countries. Throughout its history, the orchestra has been an important proponent of Finnish music and has been closely associated with the country's most celebrated composer, Jean Sibelius. The orchestra gave the premiere performance of many of Sibelius's works under the baton of Kajanus and later under other prominent conductors. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has a rich discography that includes recordings of both Finnish music and international repertoire. It continues to maintain a busy schedule of concerts, tours, and recording projects, contributing significantly to the cultural life of Helsinki and Finland. The orchestra's performances of works like Sibelius's "Violin Concerto" are particularly noted for their authenticity and depth of interpretation, given their strong historical connection to the composer.