On his 90th birthday, Jorma Panula is in the classroom
mainThe world’s most influential conducting teacher, 90 today, is at work in the town of Fiskars.
First pupil of the day is Pekka Kuusisto.
Hiding behind a pillar is the latest prodigy Tarmo Peltokoski.
photos Helsingin Sanomat
Always on the cutting edge of hubris.
I hope they film some of these lessons.
and that is Roman Resnik conducting in the lower photo. Do watch out for this rising talent.
I have studied with the professor recently. I do not want to minimize his contribution as a teacher, but I was unpleasantly surprised by what I have seen and experience firsthand. He is 90 today and it is clearly very hard for him to do so much as he currently does. His suggestions during classes sounded very shallow and he did not pay attention to much of that was going on. In my opinion, the golden era of his teaching has faded decades ago, while he still holds so much power in the conducting world.
Happy birthday!
And let’s not forget Jorma Panula’s conducting abilities.
His recording of the Sibelius “Kullervo” with the Turku
Philharmonic is truly impressive.
He also arranged Alma Mahler Lieder for orchestra.