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 collaborated with several of the leading Finnish orchestras, including the Finnish Radio Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic, Sinfonia Lahti and Tapiola Sinfonietta.

Recent highlights include his international debut with Sinfonieorchester Basel and his UK debut with BBC Symphony Orchestra. The 2023/24 season includes a return to Sinfonia Lahti as well debuts with Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lapland and Ostrobothnian chamber orchestras, among others, with repertoire encompassing Bach, Mozart, Prokofiev, Ravel, Sibelius and Rautavaara as well as a number of contemporary works.

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 the Finnish Radio Symphony and winning third prize in the 2017 edition of the Finnish National Viola Competition.