The Concertgebouw orchestra in Amsterdam has appointed 26-year-old Finnish musician Klaus Mäkelä as its new ‘artistic partner’, who will take over the role of chief conductor in 2027.

Mäkelä, who was earlier a guest conductor in Amsterdam, is currently chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, music director at the Orchestre de Paris and artistic director of the Turku Music Festival.

The Concertgebouw orchestra has been without an artistic leader since Daniele Gatti was sacked in 2018 over sexual harassment claims.

Mäkelä told current affairs show Nieuwsuur in an interview that his new orchestra is ‘unique’. ‘Their sound is very special, sensitive and layered,’ he said. ‘It has a warmth no other orchestra has.’