Kristian Sallinen

Conductor

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“Sallinen […] is a natural conductor. He has a rhythmic drive and a sense of style, as well the ability to break boundaries with a cheerful sense of humour.”
Helsingin Sanomat

Rising star, Finnish conductor Kristian Sallinen is an exceptional young talent who exhibits a natural authority and charismatic flair on the podium. He has already collaborated with several of the leading Finnish orchestras, including Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Lahti Symphony Orchestra and Tapiola Sinfonietta, and made his international debut with Sinfonieorchester Basel in June 2023.

With repertoire encompassing Mozart, Ravel, Bartók, Shostakovich, Sibelius and Rautavaara as well as a number of contemporary works, 2023/24-season highlights include Sallinen’s UK debut with BBC Symphony Orchestra in October 2023 (which resulted in an immediate reinvitation for May 2024), performances with Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and debut appearances with Berner Symphonieorchester, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra. Forthcoming engagements in 2024/25 feature returns to Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Lahti Symphony Orchestra for subscription debuts, as well as first-time appearances with Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Västerås Sinfonietta, among others.

Kristian Sallinen -Edits-Uudet-12 credits to Tuomas Tenkanen — Kristian Sallinen © Tuomas Tenkanen

Currently studying Orchestral Conducting with Sakari Oramo at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Sallinen is a former student of Jorma Panula and has been mentored by Paavo Järvi, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hannu Lintu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Susanna Mälkki, Nicolás Pasquet and Colin Metters. His musical studies, sponsored by various Finnish institutions including the Finnish Cultural, Wihuri and Wegelius foundations, began at the age of five on the violin, and in 2013 he switched to the viola. A member of the Seele String Quartet, Sallinen has performed at several festivals around Europe, also appearing as a soloist with orchestras including Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and winning 3^rd prize in the 2017 edition of the Finnish National Viola Competition.

HarrisonParrott represents Kristian Sallinen for worldwide general management.