Santtu-Matias Rouvali (born 5 November 1985 in Lahti) is a Finnish conductor who grew up in a musical family - both parents played in the Lahti Symphony Orchestra - and began as a percussionist before turning to conducting at the Sibelius Academy under Jorma Panula and Leif Segerstam. He served as chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra from 2017 to 2025 and has been principal conductor of London's Philharmonia Orchestra since 2021, becoming only the sixth person to hold that title. His complete Sibelius symphony cycle with the Gothenburg Symphony on Alpha Classics drew wide critical acclaim, and his ongoing Philharmonia Records series has extended to seven albums.
Philharmonia Records released its seventh album, 'Santtu conducts Shostakovich: Moscow, Cheryomushki and Symphony No. 1', recorded live at Royal Festival Hall.
Rouvali and the Philharmonia Orchestra completed an extensive European tour with concerts in Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna.
Rouvali led the Philharmonia Orchestra on a tour of South Korea with violinist Clara-Yumi Kang.
The Philharmonia Orchestra, celebrating its 80th anniversary, toured the United States under Rouvali, concluding with a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Rouvali concluded his eight-year tenure as chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, completing his full Sibelius symphony cycle recording with Alpha Classics.
