Leif Segerstam, Finnish conductor and “Jesus of music,” dies

He was known for his whimsical and energetic conducting, and his long white hair and beard gave him a Santa Claus look when leading the musicians. The Finnish conductor Leif Segerstam, who conducted ensembles around the world, wrote more than 370 symphonies and called himself “the Jesus of music”died at the age of 80, Finnish media reported on Wednesday, October 9. Finnish public broadcaster YLE announced his death, citing his son Jan, who said his father had died after a short illness.

Leif Segerstam has conducted guest orchestras around the world, including the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Vienna Radio Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He also conducted the music for numerous operas.

Born into a family of musicians, this child prodigy learned to read at the age of three, decipher sheet music at the age of five, and compose his first piece at the age of six. “I am almost like the Jesus of music”declared. “In the world of music I have truths as precious as the teachings of Jesus”.