Tarmo Peltokoski - the world's youngest star conductor | Music Documentary

The high-flyer of classical music! At just 23, the exceptionally talented Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski has found success at the helm of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. He especially loves the operas of Richard Wagner.
To successfully conduct an orchestra, a conductor needs to gain the respect of his musicians. That isn’t so easy when you're so young. Peltokoski began his career at only 21, and he is now regarded as the youngest star conductor in the world.
We met Peltokoski in the Latvian capital, Riga, for the rehearsals of the third part ("Siegfried") of Richard Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). The great German composer inspired Peltokoski to become a conductor.
Video by Juri Rescheto
© 2023 Deutsche Welle
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[@TheStockwell]

It'll be fascinating to see if he becomes an important figure in music. What I've heard shows he plays music very fast, very crisp, and very precisely - which doesn't work with everything. Best wishes from Vermont 🍁

[@quinftbl]

I really question this. Who is pushing this silliness?

[@odyssorpheus3230]

Recording companies

[@yassirmohamed6249]

wow harsh comments below. Well, I saw him conducting Sibelius 1st and I think he did a Great job. Wish him best luck in music, lets be supportive to each other instead of all negative comments.

[@aeew]

Yeah people are jealous. I saw him conduct Beethoven's 9th on New Year's Eve 23/24. Best concert of my life.

[@papagen00]

we need new genius composers, not conductors.

[@paullewis2413]

Another example of unnecessary hype in the “classical” music world. He needs to develop without this nonsense which ultimately can have a negative effect.

[@germanmedicis625]

Estoy de acuerdo con usted. El chico se ve muy "sintonizado" o mejor, obsesionado con Wagner. Es muy temprano para centrar desde ya su carrera en un solo compositor o en un estilo. El muchacho debe desarrollarse, madurar artísticamente y con el paso del tiempo fijar sus metas estilísticas y estéticas. Ojalá no madure biche, como decimos en Colombia y termine estropeando su carrera. Sería una lástima.

[@novagerio]

They are called "Maestri" way before they have grown hair on their balls.

[@MisterPathetique]

2:24 "I know music. I can conduct." That's such a cocky comment. Especially coming from a boy who has proven absolutely nothing so far.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Errrrm. He won the big job, though?

[@MisterPathetique]

@@AndreyRubtsovRU Yes he did, but that has nothing to do with the quality of his music making.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

@@MisterPathetique that. is. quite. a. statement.

[@MisterPathetique]

@@AndreyRubtsovRU Maybe if you live in some kind of fantasy world where everyone who holds a certain position or job is perfectly competent or adequate. But if you live in the real world, you should know it happens all the time. Even in the classical music world, this is certainly not a new phenomenon.

[@edwardjohn5]

You are effectively saying the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra is a 'nothing' orchestra. Which of course perfectly fine to have such an opinion. You're entitled to it. I don't think it's nothing, though. And if people are paying, that's another proof of something...

[@matthewbbenton]

“I do my thing, the musicians are professionals.” Quite right! They don’t need you, child.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Well, musicians of the fine orchestra seem to think otherwise, clearly?

[@shobarsch]

I'm a musician of a "fine orchestra". He's ridiculously full of himself, everyone of my colleagues agrees.

[@Xalira]

@@shobarschhmm slamming him publicly on social media doesn’t sound very professional!

[@shobarsch]

Wasn't my first choice either but people are mindlessly praising him as a genius and I thought I'd share what musicians actually think of him.

[@corgansow6173]

The faces of the musicians at 1:35 😂😂😂😂😂

[@paperaviation147]

Thats just how every musician looks during rehearsals tbh 😭

[@user-vz4fy8uw9y]

О, в его возрасте я тоже любил размахивать карандашом в такт пластинке с Вагнером! Как показывает ролик, сейчас возможностей для "игры в дирижёра" намного больше!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@user-vz4fy8uw9y]

@@DWClassicalMusic Vielen Dank für Ihre Antwort! Leider kann ich kein Englisch. Ich denke, dass die moderne Computertechnologie es einem ermöglicht, jeden Text in jeder Sprache zu lesen. Ich hoffe auch, Sie sprechen Deutsch?

[@tamjg]

Google translator works fine..

[@maxroomsky]

Поразительно, что теперь можно указывать человеку, на каком языке он должен писать комментарий. Это недостойно уровня общественной вещательной организации. Любой комментарий, господа, есть внимание к вашей компании, уделённое ей время и в конечном результате - источник вашего успеха и дохода. Если вы впредь будете столь избирательны, то на ваше место придет другая организация, которая любит людей, а не пытается учить всех, как нужно жить. Спасибо!

[@symphonyofsolidarity]

​@@user-vz4fy8uw9y Exactly lol

[@symphonyofsolidarity]

I cannot judge him until i see one of his concerts. I really liked Makela and his concerts though. Curious to see his future as well. And as for people who think young conductors are always bad, remember that all the old conductors we know started when they were young. Eg dudamel stated at 18, karajan at 21, etc. And there was a lot of hype around them during there time too. So yeah.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the matter with us and our community.

[@jellaruiza]

showing the world with your amazing talent huh!!! hope to see you and witness your performanc someday,,,,proud to say i also came from Saulon clan.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We're glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to follow us for the latest uploads!

[@barb7543]

You have been blessed, go on!🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@kirksmith1534]

Oh joy…here we go again

[@papagen00]

he should conduct bellini and rossini before doing wagner because belcanto singing is important in wagner, i bet nobody taught him that in music school.

[@Xalira]

Well it's not a surprise that a Finnish conductor was exposed to Wagner more than Italian opera. But it sounds like he will focus on opera conducting in the future, so he will get to know other repertoires, too.

[@zyc4582]

He didn't even finish the school

[@papagen00]

@@zyc4582 you mean he didn't finnish school

[@zyc4582]

@@papagen00 Peltokoski continued his music studies at the Sibelius Academy, where his conducting instructors included Sakari Oramo, before leaving the institution without a degree. -- from Wikipedia

[@DynastieArtistique]

He probably has never bothered to listen to Norma or Lucia due to his never ending wagner rampage😂

[@user-te5st1ct9j]

Удачного звездного пути🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@Emrla1]

Seems weird thinking that Esa-Pekka Salonen is now he grand old man of Finnish conductors

[@craigwalters]

This is only a short video clip and I have never worked with this young man. But what I see and hear here makes me very sceptical.

[@maxscholl7021]

His precise, clean, smooth interpretation bores me to death. Just like any other major conductor nowadays, maybe other than Barenboim.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the interpretation with us and our community.

[@borisbalson1904]

Seemingly very unpleasant young boy. I would not like to work with him

[@Little_Duck_]

Industry plant...?

[@kalildasilva_]

Age has nothing to do with it whatsoever. Maestro Arturo Toscanini started conducting "by mistake" as he was 16 years old, but he'd already played for and learned from Giuseppe Verdi. Music nowadays has become nothing more than a business, and this young guy is nothing but one more product. Hopefully he'll realize it sooner than later.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for sharing your opinion on the matter.

[@user-xb4pu5kc5n]

Edward Yudenich (Uzbekistan)

[@ksmith610]

This is a child trying and failing to do adult work. What can an immature, callow youth bring to Mahler 9? Or Beethoven 6? Or Bruckner 8, without mugging, aping and acting on the podium? The worst part of it are all the supposed “adults” in arts administration who propel this idiocy and try to make real musicians - those who are compelled to participate in this farce - pretend he is the second coming of Von Karajan? A child has no insights into music brought and earned by living life and experiencing the full range of emotion which is then brought to the score and to rehearsal. A child has tantrums which masquerade as behaviors which make a mockery of the art. This fraud belongs in high school, not in front of professional musicians.

[@user-he6kl8cz3h]

I and Wagner was simply made for each others…world-on-demand mode😉

[@winrx]

A very talented young lady.......!

[@WinrichNaujoks]

He's a man. Can't you hear and see?

[@TheStockwell]

Peltokoski is a talented young MAN .......!

[@lindashapanka5446]

That’s just rude

[@robkeeleycomposer]

Yet another moderately talented conductor being pushed way beyond his real abilities. A Ken Doll. Like Makela.

[@pablobrowne3774]

This is high on cringe

[@OboeDaCaccia]

Tarmo, may I suggest to you the idea of “Soli DEO Gloria”, Glory to God alone? You’ll find those words on the manuscripts of JS Bach; certainly he believed in giving God ALL the glory &, as a matter of fact, looked forward to the day he would meet his Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ. Unfortunately, the composers you admire - such as Richard Wagner - were devoid of this faith & our world is much the worse for it; case in point, Hitler’s admiration for his antisemitism & his convoluted idea of who Christ was - & look what that brought to our world.

[@klauswendt7680]

He conduct my Orchestra and is was very normal. Nothing special.

[@alexmoon3790]

The Music Elon Musk

[@ksmith610]

Brilliantly said. This is a child being forced into the mold of an adult, and failing.

[@xvsj-s2x]

Incredible talent !!!!

[@user-vr4ce7pw1n]

He is a sensational conductor

[@JoseRomero-lt3rw]

Why are they hyping this kid?? Does anyone at DW actually know anything about music or conducting? This is average conducting at best; any competent conservatory conductor would do a similar job

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for sharing your opinion with us and our community.

[@joselatorre1696]

Totaler Blödsinn😮😮😮

[@timothybridgewater5795]

oh God not another one. Move over Klaus...

[@sahalexx]

What nonsense. Next…

[@cedricpicard297]

Ew, Wagner

[@LuiDeca]

lots of jealousy in the comments

[@lomonacaarturo7825]

Mai scambiare ol virtuosismo per arte...

[@kirksmith1534]

Oh joy…here we go again