- Has been chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich since 2003 and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam since 2004.
- As his mother was Jewish, during WWII, he was born in hiding in Nazi-occupied Latvia, after his grandfather and uncle had been killed by the Nazis.
- Born to Arvíds Jansons, a conductor, and his wife Iraida, a singer.
- Conducted the Vienna New Year's Concert in 2006 and is expected to conduct again in 2012.
- His daughter Ilona is a pianist.
- In 1956, his family moved to Leningrad (now St Petersburg), where he studied violin, piano, and conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory.
- His sister was deported to Siberia during Stalin's regime.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content