Herbert Blomstedt
Herbert Blomstedt, principal conductor of the orchestra from 1977 to 1982, now has the title of "förste hedersdirigent" (first honorary conductor) with the orchestra. Valery Gergiev and Esa-Pekka Salonen also hold the title of "hedersdirigent" (honorary conductor) with the orchestra. In December 2017, the orchestra announced the appointment of Klaus Mäkelä as its next principal guest conductor, effective with the 2018–2019 season. Mäkelä is the youngest-ever appointment to a titled post with the orchestra.