Risto Nieminen has been director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Music Service since April 2009.

Nieminen holds a Master’s Degree in Musicology and Literature, University of Helsinki and, among other roles, was director of the Finland Radio Symphony Orchestra between 1989 and 1991, and artistic director of IRCAM (Institut de Recherce et Coordination Acoustique/Musique), Georges Pompidou Centre, in Paris, between 1991 and 1996. He sat on the Board of the European Association of Festivals from 1997 to 2001 and in 1998 was awarded the honour of Knight of the Arts and Letters of France.

Risto Nieminen took over from Luís Pereira Leal, who had held the post as from 1978.