Segerstam, Leif (1944– )

Finnish conductor and composer. He was principal conductor of the Austrian Radio Orchestra 1975–82, of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra 1977–87, and of the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1989.

He studied at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, and the Juilliard School, New York. He was conductor of the Finnish National Opera, then the Stockholm Royal Opera 1965–72, and the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 1971–73. He made his Salzburg Festival debut in 1971 with Die Entführung.

Works Orchestral Divertimento for strings (1963), Concerto Serioso for violin and orchestra (1967), two piano concertos (1978, 1981), 16 symphonies (1977–90), six cello concertos, eight violin concertos, many works for orchestra under the title Orchestral Diary Sheets; Song of Experience (after Blake and Auden) for soprano and orchestra (1971).

Ensemble 26 string quartets (1962–82), two piano trios (1976–77), three string trios (1977–78), 22 Episodes for various instrumental combinations (1978–81).