This multiple award-winning pianist, Born in 1970, is considered »Finland’s most internationally renowned jazz musician« (Jazz Finland). As a »natural phenomenon on the keys« (Jazzthing) Iiro Rantala is a singular master of his instrument, able to expertly combine virtuosity with intelligence, emotion and humour.

Rantala studied Jazz Piano at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, as well as classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music. In his home country, he is a superstar and musical ambassador with his own television programme. However, this excellent all-rounder is well-known far beyond the borders of Scandinavia, having won an ›Echo Jazz‹ in the category ›Best International Pianist‹. His very own Trio Töykeät, with whom he also played until 2006, has given 2300 concerts in over 40 countries and with his surprising ideas, has turned many genres – particularly the tango – completely upside down.

In addition, Rantala has composed for numerous theatre pieces, musicals and feature films and since 2011 has been at the helm of the Jazz Piano Festival in Kapsäkki. Alongside his work for fim, television, radio and also as solo artist, Rantala has also produced several great albums; the album ›Lost Heroes‹ released in 2011 was celebrated by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as a »Masterpiece« and the German Record Critics’ Award was only one of several prestigious awards it received. The Finn regularly performs with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen and never fails to amaze his audience.

»…talent of the century«, so described the Tagesspiegel Tarmo Peltokoski. This Finnish conductor was appointed ›Principal Guest Conductor‹ by the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen in January 2022 – the first conductor to hold this position.

In recent seasons, Peltokoski has debuted at many major festivals, including the Rheingau Music Festival and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, as well as in the great concert halls such as the Köln Philharmonie and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. In addition, he has given debuts with the hr-Sinfonieorchester, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. At just 22, Peltokoski conducted his first complete Ring Cycle as well as another significant Wagner work – Tristan und Isolde – at the Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival. In the same year, he was also appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonisch Orkest, Musical and Artistic Director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Designate of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

In the 2022/23 season, Tarmo Peltokoski is due to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, the RSB Berlin, The Hallé, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Göteborgs Symfoniker, San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl.

In 2023 Tarmo Peltokoski was awarded the OPUS Klassik for his recording with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.

In addition to piano and conducting, Peltokoski also studied composition and arranging and has a particular penchant for musical comedy and improvisation.