Celebrated Finnish violinist to join SPCO as artistic partner

Violinist Pekka Kuusisto
Violinist Pekka Kuusisto, who is joining the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as an artistic partner for the 2016-17 season, said he's joining an ensemble that is "on fire."
Courtesy Kaapo Kamu

World-renowned Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto will join the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as an artistic partner in the 2016-17 season.

Instead of having a music director, the SPCO has visiting artistic partners perform with the orchestra for several weeks each year. Kuusisto often leads music ensembles while playing and said the musician-led SPCO will allow him to develop those skills even further.

Speaking from Lima, Peru, where he's on tour, Kuusisto said he's joining an ensemble that's "on fire."

"The orchestra is in a position to do amazing things, and I would be a complete idiot not to want to be a part of it," he said.

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