John Storgårds

Happy day! After having become principal guest 2012, chief guest 2017, I am still further intensifying my relation with @BBCPhilharmonic - one of the most skilful, brilliant orchestras - now as chief conductor. A relation strongly built on great music making, partnership, trust!

Finland is the Happiest country in the World for the 9th year running. We also climbed up the world brand index from 7th to 5th. I am often asked why we do well in these rankings. I do not think there is a magic potion, but it helps to have a society which strives towards freedom, equality and justice. The basis of it all is a welfare society, a robust education system, a sense of security and a close attachment to nature. There is no such thing as a perfectly happy society, but providing some building blocks that give us a chance to live a meaningful life, to help others, will nudge us in the right direction during the journey of life.

Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 6 (1879-1881) III. Scherzo: Nicht schnell — Trio: Langsam Premiere: 26 February 1899, Graz Gustav Mahler | Wiener Philharmoniker John Storgårds | hr-Sinfonieorchester

The difference between animals and humans is that animals would never allow the dumbest member of the herd to lead them.

Meloni is absolutely right.

How Many People Can Speak 3+ Languages By European Country credit: @Maps_interlude brilliantmaps.com/3-languages/

🙏 It's not a coincidence that the people closest to Russia, and those who know Russia best, are the ones who support Ukraine the most. They know from experience that Russia cannot be trusted in any deal and respects only strength.

Tonight in Musiikkitalo, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by John Storgårds, joined by Verneri Pohjola on trumpet, performing Ljadov's 'The Enchanted Lake', Pohjola & Hietala's 'Trumpet Concerto', and von Zemlinsky's 'Die Seejungfrau' musiikkitalo.fi/en/concerts-an…

I’ll save you five minutes of your time today so you don’t have to read the news about yet another round of “negotiations” in Geneva: Ukraine is still willing to agree to absolutely any ceasefires, compromises, a halt to the war, a freeze along the front line, and all possible and impossible mineral deals to please Donald Trump -- but it is not willing to capitulate and be destroyed by Russia. Russia still refuses any ceasefires, any compromises, any halt to the war -- and agrees to nothing short of Ukrainian surrender, with ever-growing demands leading ultimately to Ukraine’s destruction. And the U.S. administration still has neither the power to force Ukraine to surrender, nor the conscience or the wisdom to stop this idiotic charade with Putin and instead begin pressuring Russia and arming Ukraine so that Ukraine can make Russia accept a stable and lasting peace. The parties agreed on nothing and will meet again at yet another meaningless “summit” in a month, so that Russia can continue buying time and making a fool of Donald Trump while continuing to destroy Ukraine. You’re welcome.

🙏"Harvassa on tällaiset kansainväliset tähdet" – 10 000 euron Helmi-palkinto myönnettiin kapellimestari John Storgårdsille | Lapin Kansa lapinkansa.fi/harvassa-on-ta…

#NowSpinning Per Nørgård Symphony No.4, with John Storgårds in Oslo. Fantastically creepy opening, evoking strange, otherworldly landscapes.

Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of US Army Europe: "US approach to the so-called 'peace talks' is doomed because they have never cared about or understood the cause of the war. They can't even call Russia the aggressor. They put all the pressure on Ukrainians, and Ukrainians can't respond. Europeans also know this isn't a good outcome. Russians clearly have no intention of stopping. It's gloomy, but the narrative that Russian victory is inevitable is absolutely not true."

🎶✨ If you were at @CanadasNAC with us tonight, you experienced that special something that happens when @johnstorgards and the NAC Orchestra make music together—with the incredible @JeanYThibaudet on piano.

Disqualified by IOC. Overqualified by dignity.

I want to thank everyone for all the support we’re receiving. There really is an incredible amount of it. For me, the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could - because they gave the most precious thing they had. And simple respect toward them is exactly what I want to give.

Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors. Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says otherwise. This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace. I thank our athlete for his clear stance. His helmet, bearing the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes, is about honour and remembrance. It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence. And in this, no rule has been broken. It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles, using the period of the Olympic Games to wage war. In 2008, it was the war against Georgia; in 2014 – the occupation of Crimea; in 2022 – the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, increasing missile and drone strikes on our energy infrastructure and our people. 660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. Hundreds of our athletes will never again be able to take part in the Olympic Games or any other international competitions. And yet, 13 Russians are currently in Italy competing at the Olympics. They compete under “neutral” flags at the Games, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve disqualification. We are proud of Vladyslav and of what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal.

He became one of the world’s leading conductors almost by accident. He still travels everywhere with his violin. And his favourite composer is the one who trusts musicians enough not to tell them what to do! 📝 nac-cna.ca/en/stories/sto… @JohnStorgards | #NACOrchCNA

"It's their fault I became a conductor!" 😄 Our MD Designate @johnstorgards on how he accidentally fell into conducting... and never looked back. Want to know what else John has up his sleeve for the NAC Orchestra? 🎥 Full interview on our website: nac-cna.ca/en/stories/sto…

Goosebumps! People often ask, is Shakespeare still relevant? Here is a great example, from the Steven Colbert Show, in which Sir Ian McKellen delivers an extraordinary speech. Shakespeare’s words are timeless, urgent and important. #Shakespeare #ianmckellen #stevencolbert

Fuugan avajaiskonsertit myytiin loppuun muutamassa tunnissa ts.fi/kulttuuri/6893…

Stop standing with Ukraine and start fighting with Ukraine! Cut off Russia's ability to fund its war machine and give Ukraine the weapons it needs to defend itself. Both of these things could be done today and save countless innocent lives. Instead, more talk.