The internationally successful Finnish string quartet Meta4 has been chosen as the principal guest conductor of the Jyväskylä symphony orchestra for two years from 2022 to 2024. Violinists Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen, viola player Atte Kilpeläinen and cellist Tomas Djupsjöbacka will take up their task in August 2022. They will be responsible for the planning of at least four sets of concerts and the artistic development of the orchestra. The members of the quartet share the duties in the concerts, and the quartet also invites visitors among the top international musicians to lead the orchestra.
“We are tremendously happy that Jyväskylä has the courage to adopt such an approach. Jyväskylä Sinfonia has a passionate energy and presence, and the musicians work intensively in a positive spirit. It is energizing for us too!” Meta4 says.
“It is important to us to strive to interpret our time and our values. In our coming seasons in Jyväskylä, we want to show and illuminate the diversity now visible in the society through music”, the quartet continues.
Unique opening even at international level
The decision of the Jyväskylä Sinfonia to invite the Meta4 quartet as their principal guests, a role usually reserved for conductors, is a new opening also internationally.
“The orchestra’s musicians are very excited about the future cooperation that is expected to be interactive and inclusive. The choice of Meta4 as the principal artistic guest of the Jyväskylä Sinfonia was particularly influenced by their interesting, skilfully planned repertoire and a very high level of professionalism. – Their enthusiasm is infectious and the whole orchestra performs better with them”, the musicians of Jyväskylä Sinfonia resume the basis for their decision.
Meta4 is currently one of the most sought-after quartets in its field, and their skills and expertise bring the orchestra’s artistic development to a new level. Meta4 was founded in 2001 and performs actively around the world being one of Finland’s most successful string quartets.
