How a Finnish composer used technology to bring the symphony into the digital age

Science · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Esa-Pekka Salonen is a conductor who refuses to let the orchestra become a museum piece. By merging high-concept multimedia installations with mobile applications, he has transformed how audiences engage with classical music, proving that the world’s most traditional musical organism can thrive through radical, tech-forward experimentation and modern collaboration.

Born in Helsinki in 1958, Esa-Pekka Salonen initially viewed conducting as a pragmatic necessity to ensure his own compositions were performed. His international breakthrough arrived in 1983 when he stepped in at short notice to lead the Philharmonia Orchestra in London through Mahler’s Third Symphony. This success propelled him into a global career, most notably as the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1992 to 2009.

Salonen’s tenure in Los Angeles is widely viewed as a pivotal moment for American classical music. Rather than relying on the traditional cult of personality surrounding conductors, he focused on a symbiotic relationship between the artist and the institution. During his seventeen years there, he oversaw 973 concerts and 23 tours, championing contemporary composers like Kaija Saariaho and Magnus Lindberg while premiering over 50 new commissioned works. His leadership was instrumental in the 2003 opening of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, a venue that redefined the orchestra's acoustic potential.

Beyond the podium, Salonen has consistently bridged the gap between classical tradition and digital innovation. His work with the Philharmonia Orchestra, such as the RE-RITE and Universe of Sound installations, utilized audio and video projections to allow the public to step inside the orchestra. He also helped develop an iPad application designed to teach users about symphonic performance. In 2020, he became the music director of the San Francisco Symphony, continuing his commitment to contemporary programming and global artistic influence, for which he was later recognized with a British knighthood.

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