The Finnish conductor and composer Leif Segerstam has died at the age of 80.
Segerstam is thought to be the most prolific composer of symphonies in history – with around 371 to his name. Many of them consist of a single 20- to 30-minute movement and boast a characterful title, such as Symphony No 329, More dreamings by Sofia (a Dog…). Many of his symphonies were specifically written so that they do not require a conductor. Outside of the symphonies, Segerstam also found the time to compose 30 string quartets and several concertos for violin, viola, cello and piano.
