The program for tonight's performance is Sibelius's Kullervo, featuring Swedish soprano Charlotte Hellekant, Finnish baritone Jorma Hynninen and the Estonian National Male Choir.

The Associated Press quotes J‹rvi as saying, "I thought it would be interesting to start out with something not predictable, not ordinary, something that introduces the audience to music from my region."

"There is a lot out there and it takes just curiosity and a bit of digging to find the forgotten gems," he added. The AP says J‹rvi will have "greater freedom to experiment in Frankfurt" than in Cincinnati, as the FRSO is fully funded by HR, the radio network of the German state of Hesse.

J‹rvi, who is also artistic adviser to the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie in Bremen, Germany, and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, intends to travel between Europe and the U.S. about every three weeks, according to the AP.

His contract as music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (which he began in 2001) runs through 2009.