Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra announces new Music Director

The Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski will become the Orchestra’s next Music Director, starting in the 2026-27 season.

He will succeed Jaap van Zweden and Peltokoski will take up the position of Music Director of the HK Phil for a four-year term, having previously served as Music Director Designate during the 2025/26 season.

Peltokoski will be the ninth music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

David Cogman, Chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Board and the Music Director Search Committee, said: “I am delighted to welcome Maestro Peltokoski as the next Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a remarkable and visionary musician, and we are very fortunate to have him write the next chapter in our orchestra’s history. The Board is extremely excited about the future of the orchestra under such an exceptional conductor.”

In a statement, Peltokoski said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Having been so impressed by the orchestra last year, I knew this would be a long-lasting relationship. The HK Phil is certainly one of the finest orchestras in Asia. I look forward to playing music with the brilliant musicians of the HK Phil in the years to come.”

Peltokoski is designated music director of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse during the 2024-25 season.