Jari Eskola appointed General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

Jari Eskola is a widely networked music and culture manager with strong experience in domestic and international music organisations and their comprehensive development. Eskola will take up the position of General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra from the position of Director of the Kuopio Music Centre and Symphony Orchestra. 

“I spent a year at the beginning of my career with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and that time has remained in my memory as a kind of golden year. That is why it feels so great to be able to return to this work community and the traditions of the orchestra. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has a unique place in the Finnish music scene: its history obliges us but also gives us enormous strength to renew ourselves. The orchestra is experiencing wonderful artistic inspiration right now: Jukka-Pekka Saraste brings his impressive experience, Pekka Kuusisto his wild creativity and Anna Thorvaldsdottir an international focus. It is inspiring to get to work in the midst of all this,” says Eskola. 

Eskola’s previous work experience includes Head of Publishing of the music publishing house Fennica Gehrman Oy, Executive Director of the Society of Finnish Composers, and Manager of Services and Development of the Finnish Music Information Centre Fimic. In addition, he has worked as Principal Music Librarian at the Stockholm Concert Hall and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Eskola holds numerous elected positions in the Finnish music field. 

As General Manager, Eskola will be responsible for the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's finances and financial performance, artistic planning, international connections and work community development. He will also serve as a member of the Management Team of the City of Helsinki’s Culture Unit. 

“The orchestra's current work interestingly emphasizes international opportunities and its role as an orchestra for all Helsinki residents in its hometown. Eskola’s long, diverse experience in the field and a management approach that emphasises collaboration provide him with excellent conditions to manifest these important themes for Helsinki into ideas and actions that can be promoted through the orchestra’s work,” says Mari Männistö, Cultural Director at the City of Helsinki. 

Further information and interview requests: 

• Jari Eskola, t. +358 44 718 2361, jari.eskola@gmail.com  

• Mari Männistö, Cultural Director, City of Helsinki / Culture and Leisure Division, t. +358 400 539 900, mari.mannisto@hel.fi