Meet Paavo Järvi, the Estonian who followed in his father’s footsteps to become one of the world’s most esteemed conductors.
Paavo Järvi will be conducting at this year's BBC Proms, in a programming including Bruckner’s First Symphony and Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto on Monday 29 July. But who is Paavo Järvi?
Who is Paavo Järvi?
Paavo Järvi is an Estonian conductor. Though born in Estonia, he emigrated with his family to the United States in 1980 (when he was 18) and became a US citizen in 1985. He has enjoyed a decades-long career on the podium, leading some of the world’s best orchestras.
A great champion of Estonian composers and musicians, Paavo Järvi is the founder of both the Estonian Festival Orchestra and the Pärnu Music Festival in Estonia, and he regularly records Estonian music.
He was awarded the ‘Order of the White Star’ by the Estonian President in 2013 and won a Grammy Award for his 2003 recording of Sibelius Cantatas.
- What is a Cantata?
- Review: Schoenberg - Pelleas und Melisande (Frankfurt Radio Symphony/Paavo Järvi)
When was Paavo Järvi born?
Paavo Järvi was born in Tallinn, Estonia on 30 December 1962.
What does the name Järvi mean?
‘Järvi’ (pronounced Yeah-vee) is the Estonian word for ‘lake’. It means the same in Finnish, too.
Are Paavo Järvi, Neeme Järvi and Kristjan Järvi related?
Yes, conductor Neeme Järvi is Paavo Järvi’s father, and conductor Kristjan Järvi is Paavo Järvi’s brother. The flautist Maarika Järvi is Paavo and Kristjan Järvi’s sister.
Where did Paavo Järvi study?
Paavo Järvi studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, one of the best conservatories and music colleges in the world, with both Max Rudolph and Otto-Werner Mueller. He also spent time studying with the great Leonard Bernstein at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute.
What orchestra does Paavo Järvi conduct?
Paavo Järvi conducts several orchestras. He has been the artistic director of the Estonian Festival Orchestra since he founded it in 2004.
That same year he also took on the role of artistic director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and that of artistic advisor to the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, while in 2020 he took on the role of chief conductor at the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.
Paavo Järvi has conducted many other great orchestras, once sharing the role of principal conductor of the Royal Stockholm Symphony Orchestra with the late Andrew Davis (from 1995-98).
He was the principal conductor of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra (1994-97), music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (2001-11), music director of the Orchestre de Paris (2010-16) and chief conductor of Japan’s NHK Symphony Orchestra (2012-22).
What are Paavo Järvi’s best recordings?
Paavo Järvi has a rich recorded catalogue going back almost four decades, so there’s a lot to choose from. Here, though, are some highlights.
Brahms • Dvořák • Viotti Concertos; Silent Woods
Ondine ODE1423-2 (2023)
This recording featured the late Lars Vogt on piano (and was dedicated to him), alongside violinist Christian Tetzlff, cellist Tanya Tetzlaff and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. It was BBC Music Magazine’s ‘Concerto Choice’ in the Christmas 2023 issue.
Estonian Premieres
Alpha Classics ALPHA863 (2022)
This recording celebrated works by six Estonian composers: Tõnu Kõrvits, Ülo Krigul,Helena Tulve, Tauno Aints and Lepo Sumera. It was BBC Music Magazine’s ‘Orchestral Choice’ in the September 2022 issue.
Schmidt Complete Symphonies
Deutsche Grammophon 483 8336 (2020)
Awarding this recording five stars, BBC Music Magazine’s Christmas 2020 issue review said, ‘Järvi is an almost ideal interpreter of this composer.’
Sibelius Cantatas
Virgin Classics/Erato 5455892 (2003)
This recording won a Grammy in 2004. It featured the Ellerhein Girls Choir, Estonian National Male Choir and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
What is Paavo Järvi conducting at the BBC Proms?
Paavo Järvi will be conducting Bruckner's Symphony No. 1, Beethoven's 'Emperor' Piano Concerto and fellow Estonian Erkki-Sven Tüür's Aditus, which opens the programme of Prom 14 on Monday 29 July. Dazzling young pianist Yunchan Lim makes his BBC Proms debut in the Beethoven, while all three pieces will be performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
