Leif Segerstam, the renowned Finnish conductor, composer, violinist and pianist, has died aged 80.

A student at Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy and the Juilliard School in New York, Segerstam’s subsequent career boasted appointments to an array of distinguished conducting posts, marking him out as one of the most important ambassadors for Sibelius’ 2015 anniversary year. He was latterly chief conductor emeritus of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, having served as its chief conductor from 1995 to 2007. He also served as chief conductor of the Austrian and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestras and the Royal Swedish Opera, together with the post of musical director of the Finnish National Opera; he began his conducting career in the opera houses of Helsinki, Stockholm and Berlin before proceeding to make guest appearances at opera houses and festivals internationally.

Leif Segerstam recorded extensively both for Naxos and for our affiliated label Ondine, his discography for the latter becoming an essential part of the label’s history. His 1996 album of Rautavaara’s Seventh Symphony proved a major international sensation; fourteen years later, his recording of the same composer’s Before the Icons and A Tapestry of Life revealed an undiminished intensity of inspiration: “I’ve been a fan of Leif Segerstam since the early 1970s … I consider him one of the greatest of the 20th century … I urge you to get this record. It is a wonderful souvenir of both composer and conductor.” (Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare)

Reijo Kiilunen, founder of the Ondine label, commented: “Leif Segerstam, legendary conductor and composer, has left a lasting mark. Known as a tireless supporter of contemporary music, he premiered and recorded countless new works, while his award-winning recordings established him as one of the greatest Sibelius conductors of all time. His career as a prolific composer of hundreds of symphonies and dozens of concertos was unprecedented. Having recorded more than 30 albums for us, Leif Segerstam has left an indelible mark on Ondine. These unique releases will always form an essential part of our history. Rest in peace, dear Maestro.”