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Esa-Pekka Salonen
@esapekkasalonen
Finnish musician
Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Tweets
1st reading of my cello concerto tomorrow. My late teacher Rautavaara's words: never go to 1st rehearsal. If you have to, don't go sober.
After lengthy deliberation I decided to be proud of my country.
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The Finnish word "kalsarikänni" means “drinking alone, at home, in your underwear”. The Finnish Tourism Agency has released two emojis for the word.
Do you want your steak overdone, grossly overdone or annihilated?
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The future of orchestral music is in safe hands. A fantastic photo by Perdita Petzl
I still miss those days. Somehow.
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This week, added five Ukrainian musicians to its numbers, members of orchestras in Kyiv and Odessa, ladies who had fled their homeland with their children and their instruments. It was a great privilege to work with them. All orchestras, consider doing the same!
So many people here in Paris have congratulated me for the new Finnish governement and its PM. I’ve gladly accepted as if I had anything to do with it other than being a citizen. It sure feels good to be Finnish these days.
I’m no longer verified. Very proud to join the illustrious list of deverified individuals. Looking forward to this new chapter.
Heartfelt hanks to all for the warm wishes and positive energy surrounding the announcement. Very excited and hopeful for the future.
Updated my profile photo to the current decade. Next update will happen in 2040.
Said this a few years back. Since then I’ve seen a huge amount of new non-male conducting talent emerging. If asked today, I’d add transgender, non-binary and every other gender variation to the list of conductors of the future.
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'The gender of a conductor is of no importance anymore. The musical world is perfectly open and willing to embrace female conductors. There is no reason for girls not to go into conducting. We are ready.' #ConductingInspo from @esapekkasalonen. #Equal #WomenConductors @BatonAlice
If you want to get away from the holiday shopping madness & find elemental inner peace, I highly recommend the brand new Helsinki shopping centre Redi. A true Zen experience.
Proud of my country & its rich traditions. Again.
We, and I bumped randomly into the Finnish PM on a street in Helsinki. We thanked her for a great job having lead the country with a firm hand through challenging times. She was very gracious and friendly. Best of luck for your future endeavours, Sanna!
Sunrise 9.24 AM, sunset 3.13 PM today. Length of day +3 seconds since yesterday. There’s hope. Good to be home.
Late lunch in a tiny pizzeria in the Marais. Muzak: F major Razumowsky Quartet. Delicious pizza. Faith in humanity temporarily restored.
My life in dimly lit restaurants: was just about to complain about the bizarrely overdone steak. Then, accidentally, I turned my knife around. The sharp edge works better.
We won.
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Time to go home, clearly twitter.com/SoVeryFinnish/
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Waitress at the Finnish (named) restaurant in Taichung, Taiwan:"you look hot" Me (naively):"thank you" She: "I put ice in your beer" 31C/88F
Devastated by the passing of Einojuhani Rautavaara, great original voice in Finnish music. Also my first composition teacher and friend.
Whatever you do, don’t use Google to translate this to English
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Suosio ylpeänä esittää: @esapekkasalonen, @MalkkiConductor ja @LiikanenErkki keskustelevat klassisen musiikin tulevaisuudesta Minna Lindgrenin johdolla 9.9. klo 16.00 Musiikkitalon harjoitussali Paavossa. Vapaa pääsy. Striimaus nettiin ja Musiikkitalon ala-aulaan.
The fifth hour of delayed flight with no firm departure time. Was starting to lose my holiday spirit. Happy to report I found it again
Deeply saddened by the death of Mariss Jansons. He was one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever known. I will be missing him and his beautiful, intense music-making forever. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.
After having rehearsed Elektra, Turangalîla and Bartok 1st Piano Concerto in two countries in one day, I'm going to have a beer. Possibly 2.
Thank you friends.
It’s 3 am, finished a new piece and it’s snowing still. instagram.com/p/BsZR382F7OdA
Saddened by this. I hope to be back in Japan soon.
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We regret to inform you Mo.Salonen & the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks Japan tour (Nov.28-Dec.3) have been canceled in view of the international situation resulting from the COVID-19. Look forward to 2022 Japan tour.
japanarts.co.jp/en/news/p5187/
@esapekkasalonen @BRSO
The San Francisco Symphony stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and rejects the violence and pain caused by Russia’s invasion of that sovereign nation. Each night this week, Davies Symphony Hall will be illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Syytän ministerin avustajia: heidän olisi pitänyt tehdä selväksi ministerille että myös Musiikkitalon avajaisissa olisi voinut vetää lärvit
Yes, we miss the glory days
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In honour of the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Holst's Planets, I give you the moment the classical record industry peaked:
Spotted on a van parked near my studio. Epitaph, right there.
Such a dream: new piece having its first outing by and Heartfelt thanks from a deeply grateful & humbled composer
Was trying to type (one-handedly) “sponsor dinner”. Phone corrected it to “spinster sinner”. Am I witnessing an AI developing a sense of humour? If so, good luck to us all.
I thus declare you an Honorary Crazy Finn. Merry Christmas and much love from the snow.
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Merry Christmas to all the crazy Finns in my life...@esapekkasalonen @MalkkiConductor @lahtisymphony @KalliJari @DaliaStasevska
Discovered LA Times photo capturing the moment of my music director announcement. Everyone looking terrified.
Surprise visitor at my last rehearsal of the season in Alhambra, Something Ur-Wagnerian about the eagle arriving in the middle of the Götterdämmerung finale
Feel blessed and humbled after having heard 11 pieces of mine in one day performed on an absolutely stellar level. My heartfelt thanks to all.
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A fantastic end to yesterday's Total Immersion @esapekkasalonen with @oramsa, @AnuKomsi, Piia Komsi, Nicholas Daniel & BBC Symphony Chorus #BBCSC Bravo! 
Devastated to learn about the death of Chris Rouse, a wonderful composer, friend and colleague. I’m deeply grateful for all the stimulating conversations, thoughtful advice and of course for the powerful music I had the privilege to study, conduct and hear on many occasions.
Two buskers in Merano, IT. Colleague has either a didgeridoo or an Alphorn. Or a hybrid.
The timing of this production is heartbreaking, but I’m happy to return to this mysterious and powerful score.
Tired of atmospheric phenomena. Someday I’ll conduct a real orchestra again. Gloves off. instagram.com/p/CAGd2EOgGSu/
Going off the grid. In Brodsky's words: Ah, summer clouds of the Baltic! I swear you are nowhere to be outclassed.
Was asking my tour agents to get me decongestant pills. Phone corrected "Sudafed" to "Dudamel". Clearly a stronger brand!
So does mine, actually
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Feeling depressed and very worried today. Off to Pelléas et Mélisande rehearsal. Exchanging ugliness for beauty for a few hours. Grateful.
Expression of true happiness and elation
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I'm one stamp away from a free game of pinball at my local coffee house. Any day now. Free coffee comes much later.
My warmest congratulations! It’s such a privilege & great fun to be working with you again, especially on a momentous day like this. Let’s make a riotous show this afternoon and raise a glass to your honour after! #fanboyinthepit
This morning I found a old (actual) photo of my mom and my uncle taken by my dad many decades ago. It is small and not completely in focus. I tried to pinch-to-zoom it which tells about 1) the times we live in 2) the time I live in (morning after the last Rheingold)
Mourning the death of Pierre Boulez. He was a huge influence and a great support in my life. Thank you for everything you’ve done Maître.
A Heckelphone sighting in toilet before 1st Elektra orchestra reading. Photo by my colleague Steven White
With my experience of complex post-serial music assembling this weight bench wasn’t going to be a big deal. Wrong.
Thank you for a wonderful evening, Your Excellency!
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Ambassadoring brings some enormous privileges and pleasures. This evening I presented an honorary KBE to @esapekkasalonen for his services to music and to 
relations. A wonderful evening with a stellar cast of guests. Congratulations (Sir) Esa-Pekka 
relations. A wonderful evening with a stellar cast of guests. Congratulations (Sir) Esa-Pekka 
10k run this morning: preparing myself to conduct SibA / orchestra again on Tuesday!
Even with a magnifying glass I can't tell what all the pitches in Boulez Notations II A2 score are. Hello
Deeply honoured. Such happy memories, feels like a different life altogether. I miss the Japanese audiences and concert halls. And the food. Hope to be back soon.
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嬉しいお知らせです
Mo.サロネン&フィルハーモニア管弦楽団@esapekkasalonen @philharmonia の昨年1月の日本公演が、音楽の友コンサート・ベストテン2020で第1位に選ばれました
twitter.com/tomo20180518/s…
Mo.サロネン&フィルハーモニア管弦楽団@esapekkasalonen @philharmonia の昨年1月の日本公演が、音楽の友コンサート・ベストテン2020で第1位に選ばれました twitter.com/tomo20180518/s…Boxing Day. Time to go vegan (as so many times before). This is a logical place to start for a Finnish carbon based life form. Feel supported and empowered by our brothers and sisters from the West.
Life after Elektra: I know it's Classical Pavlovian Conditioning, but thank you all the same,
Downloaded an app for the Ring motifs: "Richard Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen - Vollständiger Text mit Notentafeln der Leitmotiv"
Finally something universally useful. A motif for everyone.
Restocked while in Tokyo. Trusty old K-13, my precious instrument. $7 apiece.
👏👏
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This morning we are delighted to announce that Santtu-Matias Rouvali will be the next Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Welcome, Santtu! Full story 
philharmonia.co.uk/news/article/6
philharmonia.co.uk/news/article/6
Sharing lunch with my surprise Aixoise friend before tonight's Stravinsky premiere
Some weeks ago, I invited the to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, and also committed to personally match all donations by the Orchestra. Together we raised $77,310. Grand total of the entire was $100k. Very proud to share this.
Leaving Paris after two very enjoyable concerts with @orchestredeparis San Francisco next! instagram.com/p/CFl7NmKg9S8/
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With deep sadness for the damage endured by Notre Dame tonight. But it will survive and rise again as it has for centuries as a monument and symbol that has inspired the entire world.
Spending my evening with this thing of beauty. Still learning & discovering new things. Thank you, Witold.
Conducting an actual concert with an actual symphony orchestra. instagram.com/p/CFSQbwtgo4s/
Done with concerts 2016. Next time February. Time to go back to writing. It will be quiet under the radar. Nice prospect.
Hyvää Juhannusta Aixista! Vuokraemäntä pyysi panemaan portin kiinni yöksi ettei villisiat pääse syömään kukkasipuleita. #luonnonarmoilla Ei kokkoa ellei kaasugrilli räjähdä.
Managed to install a SSD drive, make it boot disk and max out memory on my 2008 Mac Pro. Rejuvenated, machine and me
Opened Ligeti’s Apparitions score and found this. I still miss this difficult, brilliant, crazy and charming man.
Very excited about this. Two World Premieres by massively talented young composers, Ogonek and Adams. Add two powerful Nordics, Thorvaldsdottir and Lindberg. I’d actually buy a ticket myself if I weren’t busy that evening.
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Conductor @esapekkasalonen invites you to the final MusicNOW concert of the season!
Tickets are still available for the May 21 performance ---> goo.gl/dSaJP5
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Was clearing out some old boxes today and found this. Taken in December 1990 in Messiaen’s studio apartment after two full days of studying Saint François d'Assise with #Messiaen. I look petrified. #ErwinOrtner…
About to depart from HND, Tokyo to NY. Had a great time in Japan; my band played magnificently & showed serious karaoke talent
We need to sample this guy and use him as an instrument. twitter.com/ehsanfadakar/s
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Causality Loop?Enjoying all-Sibelius week with my friends at while preparing myself for Icelandic adventures!
This made my day. Greetings to Hugo!
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Playing “guess the composer” at the dinner table just now as @BBCRadio3 was playing the choral version of Finlandia. Hugo (aged 7) needed a clue so I said, “a famous Finnish composer” and he replied, “Esa-Pekka Salonen!”
Thank you @philharmonia and @esapekkasalonen