Klaus Mäkelä (Helsinki, 1996) is a Finnish conductor and cellist who has risen with remarkable speed to become one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. He served as chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic (2020-2026) and is music director of the Orchestre de Paris; from September 2027 he takes up dual posts as chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Zell Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. An exclusive Decca Classics artist, his recordings span Sibelius, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Berlioz, and include a live account of Mahler's Eighth Symphony from the 2025 Mahler Festival in Amsterdam.
Decca Classics announced the release of Mäkelä's recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, recorded live during the Mahler Festival in May 2025 in Amsterdam.
The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra announced that Mäkelä will end his chief conductor position at the end of the 2025-2026 season, a year earlier than originally planned.
Mäkelä released an album with the Orchestre de Paris featuring Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique and Ravel's La Valse on Decca Classics.
Mäkelä conducted the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra during the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam, with performances of Mahler's First and Eighth Symphonies.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra appointed Mäkelä as its next music director (Zell Music Director), effective from the 2027-2028 season.
The Concertgebouworkest under conductor Klaus Mäkelä performs Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique, a masterpiece of Romantic orchestral music.
Conductor Klaus Mäkelä leads the Concertgebouw Orchestra in an evening of classical music.