Jukka-Pekka Saraste takes over the Summer Tour 2022

Salzburg, 11.08.2022

To his profoud regret, HERBERT BLOMSTEDT has to withdraw at short notice from conducting the 2022 Summer Tour of the GUSTAV MAHLER JUGENDORCHESTER due to his continued recovery from a fall in June.

A close associate of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester for many years, Herbert Blomstedt had hoped until very recently to be able to realise this major tour. On the firm recommendation of his physicians and therapists however, he will not be able to resume his conducting activities before mid-September 2022 at the earliest.

The Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester is extremely grateful to JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE, Principal Conductor Designate of the Helsinki Philharmonic and former Principal Conductor of the WDR-Sinfonieorchesters and the Oslo Philharmonic, for taking over the entire 2022 Summer Tour.

A renowned Bruckner and Sibelius specialist, JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE will conduct the two concert programmes with works by Schubert, Sibelius (Symphony No. 2) and Bruckner (Symphony No. 7) as planned.

“The withdrawal of Herbert Blomstedt from our Summer Tour is a deep disappointment to him, the musicians and the management of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester. We now sincerely wish him a speedy recovery. That it has been possible to place this major concert tour in the hands of Jukka-Pekka Saraste at short notice is a real stroke of luck. The GMJO had already hoped to realise projects under his direction; we are delighted and grateful to Jukka-Pekka Saraste that this first-time collaboration will happen even earlier than planned.” (Alexander Meraviglia-Crivelli, Artistic and Executive Director of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester)