Okko Kamu 奥科·卡姆

Okko Tapani Kamu(born 7 March 1946,Helsinki,Finland) is aFinnishorchestralconductorand violinist.

Kamu was born into a family of musicians. His father playeddouble bassin theHelsinki Philharmonic. He began violin studies at age two and entered theSibelius Academyat age six. He formed his own string quartet, the Suhonen, in 1964 where he played first violin. At age 20, he was appointed first solo violinist at theFinnish National Opera, and held this post until 1968. He then began to conduct, initially with the Finnish National Opera orchestra. Primarily self-taught, he became principal guest conductor of theRoyal Swedish Operain 1969, the same year as he won the firstHerbert von KarajanConducting Competition inBerlin. From 1971 to 1977, Kamu was principal conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Outside of Finland, Kamu was principal conductor of theOslo Philharmonicfrom 1975 to 1979. He has also held leadership positions with the Stockholm Sinfonietta. He has been chief guest conductor of theCity of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,Copenhagen Philharmonic, theHelsingborg Symphony Orchestra, and theLausanne Chamber Orchestra. He was principal guest conductor of theSingapore SymphonyOrchestra until 2017.

Kamu was chief conductor of theFinnish National Operafrom 1996 to 2000.He has been a noted conductor of the operas ofAulis Sallinenin the opera housewhere he conducted the premieres ofThe Red Line,King LearandThe Palace, and on record.He also conducted the premieres of Sallinen's2nd and 3rd symphonies, and has recorded others. In April 2009, theLahti Symphony

Orchestraannounced the appointment of Kamu as its next chief conductor, as of the autumn of 2011. Kamu's initial contract was through the spring of 2014.[4]In November 2012, the orchestra announced the extension of Kamu's contract through the end of July 2016,[5]at which time he concluded his tenure in Lahti.

Kamu has recorded more than 100 discs for various labels, such as Finlandia[7][8]and Musica Sveciae.[9]ForNaxos Records, he has recordedFranz Berwald's four symphonies and his piano concerto;Aulis Sallinen's Complete Music for String Orchestra; flute concertos byPenderecki,Takemitsuand Sallinen. Kamu's two discs of Berwald for Naxos both received the rareDiapason d'Oraward.

In 1994, Kamu became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. He was awarded theOrder of the Lion of Finlandmedal in 1999 by thenpresident of FinlandMartti Ahtisaari.

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