Leading conductor mourns his ex-partner, 45

Aalto University professor of marketing Pekka Mattila died of a sudden illness on January 22 at the age of 45.

Pekka was, for 17 years, partner to the Helsinkki and Lisbon chief conductor Hannu Lintu, who writes on social media:

Pekka Mattila 1978-2024
I wholeheartedly thank everyone who has been in touch with Pekka’s sudden passing. Every single message has been important.
Pekka was part of my life for 17 years. His intelligence, sense of humour, sense of style, professionalism, and uncompromisingly shaped the way I think and act. The years we spent together are the most important things in my life.
It must be known that our ways went our separate ways last year. Nevertheless, we were connected every day. We continued to share our experiences and thoughts regarding the whims of life. We swore that we’d stay friends. The feeling of emptiness is great now.
At the time of departure, our dog Shurik was accompanied by him. Old Shurik is doing well considering the circumstances but is as surprised as I am.
In the beginning of January, Pekka gave an interview to a certain magazine. We always read each other all the newspaper stories before they went to print, so I still have the draft of that interview. Don’t know if it’s ever shown up or will but I’m borrowing it anyway
“I’ve always had a belief in a child that I can survive, I can do it, I can make it. Maybe that’s part of why I survived the challenges ahead. I always think no matter what happens the sun tends to rise everyday. ”
Thank you, Pekka.