The Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen is very involved in two major projects being inaugurated next year which will influence the musical life from the west coast of America to Northern Europe.
The Baltic Sea Festival 2003: Esa-Pekka Salonen is the founder and artistic director of the new Baltic Sea Festival. "Music is a universal language, it has no political leanings, and it effortlessly crosses the language barrier to reach people everywhere. That is why a major festival of this kind can develop unity around the Baltic Sea." With these words Esa-Pekka Salonen describes the aim of the Festival and invited together with the organiser Swedish Radio a number of internationally renowned artists from around the Baltic Sea to Stockholm where the Festival will be from August 21-24, 2003. Besides the Berwaldhallen, other special venues will be the Vasa Museum, the Royal Swedish Opera, the City Hall of Stockholm and the Haga Park.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall: Another highlight for Esa-Pekka Salonen in 2003 will be the opening of the new Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by architect Frank Gehry. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Salonen, Music Director of the orchestra since 1992, move to the new concert hall in October 2003.