Musicians share memories of the one-and-only Leif Segerstam

The great Finnish conductor died yesterday, aged 80.

Record producer Robert von Bahr: ‘He was a totally unique figure, and possibly the most talented musician I have ever met – pianist, violinist, composer, conductor, recorder player, tenor. He won the most prestigious piano and violin competitions in Finland – with 2 weeks in between. He composed almost 400 symphonies – beat that, Haydn. Perfect pitch down to 1 Hz. Wake him up in the middle of the night and ask him to tap out metronome marking 88 – he did it. Could read any score like today’s newspaper. He jumped in for Aho’s flute concerto (with Sharon Bezaly) at a moment’s notice and just conducted the immensely intricate score with meter changes every second bar like it was nothing.

‘I have personally recorded him as violinist, pianist, conductor, composer. Completely overwhelming in all ways – weighed almost 35 stones at some stage, could eat one each of the whole menu in one sitting (I saw that in Salzburg). All in all – a completely unique person. Legendary for his comments – when a musician, playing a repeated figure in one of his symphonies, asked how many repetitions he should play, Leif answered: “until I look at you stoppingly”. The world is poorer without him. Much poorer. I miss him!’

Helsinki violinist Linda Lampenius: ‘One of my biggest ”a-ha” moments in my classical career was when Leif conducted Wagner’s Lohengrin at the National Opera in Helsinki. I was 23 years old and I had just started working at the opera alongside my studies at the Sibelius Academy. I had not been especially fond of Wagner before, but when Leif started conducting everything changed. I was mesmerised by Lohengrin, but I was even more mesmerised by the long lines Leif created. Actually he managed to conduct Lohengrin in only one long line, a line that went on and on regardless of the amount of hours and the intervals.
I want to thank Leif for that overwhelming experience. I also want to thank him for the great moments I experienced with him as the concert master of “Kapubändi” (the conductors class orchestra at the Sibelius Academy).’

Mahan Esfahani, harpsichordist: ‘ He was the single greatest genius I have ever known, without a doubt. He was very kind and generous to me and took a serious interest in my inner artistic life. I also have no doubt that he is now driving Beethoven himself absolutely mad.’

Pianist Ivo Varbanov: ‘Instead of going out to dinner, Leif decided to share with me his famous homemade chicken wings in the hotel lobby. We sat together, enjoying the simple meal, while talking about Sibelius Symphonies, which were one of his great passions. Leif’s understanding of Sibelius went far beyond the scores; he spoke about the symphonies with such depth and insight, revealing layers of meaning and emotion that only someone with his vast musical intellect could perceive. It was a moment that spoke to the very essence of who Leif was – both a musical genius and a man who valued connection, conversation, and camaraderie.
‘During our time in Turku, there was a parrot in the hotel lobby, and Leif took it upon himself to teach the bird a few things. It was a small, delightful moment that perfectly captured his playful spirit and his joy in the little things in life. He was also very sad when the parrot died a few years back.’

Peter Kislinger of ORF Vienna: ‘At first he didn’t want to talk to “someone from the ORF RSO.“ He had felt bullied by the artistic director during his time as chief conductor. He raved about RAutavaaras and insulted music critics who described this music as “not contemporary”. He once conducted an American orchestra at the Vienna Konzerthaus. After the interval, the first two rows were empty. He began with Prokofiev’s 5th Symphony. After a few bars, the American guests of honor (diplomats, politicians, industrialists, businessmen) returned from the intermission reception. Leif interrupted, turned to the troublemakers and stared at them. Silence, then thunderous applause.’

Violin professor Päivyt Meller: ‘The very special memory for me was on RSO tour in Lappland with Wieniawski F-sharp Minor Violin Concerto in 1980. I remember feeling a bit chilly as waiting for our turn by the aisle of the Ivalo church, full of audience. Leif opened his big arms and kept me warm as we listened to the radio voice to do the announcements. I was not feeling cold any longer after stepping forward to perform.’

Artem Wahrhaftig: ‘The conducting Santa Claus’.