The Finnish Maestro: Jorma Panula and His Legacy of Conductors
“When you first meet someone, you understand at a glance whether he or she is a good conductor, a mediocre conductor, or not capable of becoming a conductor.”
These are the words of Jorma Panula, the 96-year-traditional Finnish conductor, composer, and conducting teacher, who continues to mentor aspiring conductors seven hours a day. His workshops, held in a small building in Helsinki, evaluate 8 to 10 individuals each weekend. Among his most celebrated students is Klaus Mäkelä, alongside luminaries such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sakari Oramo, and Hannu Lintu, all of whom lead prominent orchestras in Europe and North America.
Panula’s influence extends beyond Finland, with former students Osmo Vänskä and Pietari Inkinen having served as music directors of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and KBS Symphony Orchestra, respectively. As the New York Times noted in 2023, “Finland is the world’s leading exporter of conductors, and Panula has raised generations of artists like a farmer.”
The Principles of Conducting: Simplicity and Collaboration
In his first interview with Korean media, Panula articulated a straightforward philosophy: “The principle of a good conductor is simple. The left hand is for beat, and the right hand is for expression.” He emphasized that a conductor should not rely on authority, but rather “support members,” fostering a collaborative environment.
He stresses the importance of mastering the fundamentals. “It’s just about the two hands. Some people wave their hands wildly like a two-year-old. A conductor must know how to divide the roles of the hands.” He acknowledges the difficulty, stating, “This is the domain of experts. We always have to study and think about something.”
Practical Training: Beyond the Piano
Panula is critical of relying solely on piano-based training. “Many music schools provide conductor training with two pianos. It’s terrible. You need to be able to conduct a real orchestra, even if it’s a small one.” His workshops incorporate live orchestral sessions, recruiting approximately 20 orchestra players for each event.
Identifying Potential: A Natural Aptitude
When asked about the qualities that distinguish promising conductors, Panula explained, “You can tell right away. You can tell by their attitude that they are calm and controlled people. Above all, they must have a desire to help the orchestra. Conducting is similar to ensemble performance, where you work together to complete the music.”
Regarding Klaus Mäkelä’s early development, Panula noted, “All the conductors I taught were different. Mäkelä, who started studying with me when she was about 12 years old, already had confidence in music through the cello. She studied the scores quite diligently and practiced for a long time.”
Lifelong Learning: No Age Limit
Panula welcomes students of all ages. He shared the story of a 13-year-old student, Arius Seresskis, a Lithuanian-Finnish national, who is scheduled to perform with the Odense Symphony in Denmark next year. “One child who studied with me from the age of 11 is now 13 and knows incredibly well what to do on the podium. I do not place any restrictions on my students. They can learn to conduct at any age, and they can study music from any part of the world.”
He emphasizes the importance of a broad education. “You need to study a lot. You need to know not only music, but also literature, opera, ballet, painting, literature, and history. History is especially essential, and you really need to read a lot. It’s a pity that musicians these days don’t read books, saying they don’t have time.”
From Orchestral Leader to Pedagogue
Jorma Panula began his career conducting orchestras in Turku and Helsinki, Finland, and Aarhus, Denmark. Starting in his 40s, he dedicated himself to training conductors at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. He continues this work through the Panula Academy, established in 2014.
The Educator’s Mission: Cultivating Inquiry
Panula reflects on his transition to teaching: “I always had a lot of questions while conducting. It was natural to share the answers I found through research and experience. People who ask a lot of questions develop into real conductors. No matter how much I tell students to ask questions, the problem is that not many people ask questions these days.”
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Helsinki=Kim Ho-jeong, music editor