Leif Segerstam, Conductor Who Wrote Over 350 Symphonies, Dies, 80

By Keegan Morris |

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Leif Segerstam (Photo: Anna Flegontova)

Leif Segerstam has died at age 80 in Helsinki, Finland.

Born in Vaasa, Finland, Segerstam was a respected — and eccentric — conductor, pianist, violinist, and violist. He is also known for his prolific compositional output.

Segerstom is the author of over 370 symphonies. He composed his first symphony between 1977 and 1978, and by 1999, he had reached No. 33. This already considerable output exploded in the 21st century. In 2000 alone, he wrote 24 symphonies. Between 2005 and 2009, he wrote 130, with 30 of those coming in 2005.

Many of the symphonies are around 20 minutes in length, often comprising a single movement. The immersive, cascading works capture the dramatic contrasts as the orchestra springs into action in one moment and then abruptly drops out for hushed — yet uneasy — interventions.

The pieces are also noteworthy for their titles. Some carry sardonic names (No. 66, More Serious than Sexy...), while others are whimsical (No. 179, Rainbows of the Blue Moon... or No. 294, Songs of a UNICORN heralding...). Some are prosaic (No. 67, After the 21252nd Day...). Some introspective titles read like journal entries. Take, for instance, this series of five works from 2009:  No. 221, Just listening...; No. 222, Just guessing...; No. 223, Just letting go... (like e.g. sometimes when sailing...); No. 224, Just remembering...; No. 225, Just feeling...; No. 226, Just thinking... And Segerstam evidently recognized the mathematic associations of his 314th symphony: π x 4=3,14 & 3,14 & 3,14 & 3,14... Many other entries are dedicated to friends and colleagues.

These curiosities should not overshadow the artistic accomplishment of many of his compositions. Undeniable, too, were the heights he reached as a performer and composer. Segerstam served as artistic director of Stockholm's Royal Opera and chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and also held roles at the Danish National Radio Symphony and the Austrian Radio Symphony, among other ensembles. He guest conducted top orchestras around the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Among others, he trained Susanna Mälkki, a fellow Finn who is today one of the world's most sought after conductors. In an Instagram post shared following his death, she paid tribute to a man she characterized as an unorthodox but influential mentor. "The electricity he could create in his music-making was exceptional."