Ensemble

Oulu Symphony Orchestra

The Oulu Symphony Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in Northern Finland and the most northerly in the European Union. Formed in 1937, it was granted the right to call itself the Oulu City Orchestra in 1954 and was adopted by the City in 1961. Its present name dates from 2005.

Over the years it has been conducted and developed by many, including Urpo Pesonen, Paavo Rautio, Onni Kelo, Rauno Rännäli, Ari Angervo, Peeter Lilje and Arvo Volmer. Its Artistic Director for the period 2005-2008 was Dmitri Slobodeniouk. John Storgårds was its Principal Guest Conductor 1997-1999 and Jaakko Kuusisto 2005-2009.

Rumon Gamba has been the Chief Conductor of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra since 2022.

The orchestra has released a number of discs. The composer-in-residence from 1997 to 2009 was Olli Kortekangas, and during this time it recorded his opera Messenius and Lucia for Ondine.