He has held musical soirees at National Sawdust in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He led the New York Philharmonic in Messiaen’s boffo “Turangalîla-Symphonie” in March at David Geffen Hall, where, a week later, Alan Gilbert conducted the New York premiere of his Dada piece, “Karawane.” Now he is next door, conducting Strauss’s “Elektra” at the Metropolitan Opera.

No, the stars did not align to make Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Finnish conductor and composer who brings a dash of cool to classical music, the next music director of the New York Philharmonic (though he had topped the wish lists of many prominent critics). But if he is the One Who Got Away — he publicly expressed ambivalence about the job, and the orchestra opted for the Dutch maestro Jaap van Zweden — this year, Mr. Salonen feels a bit like the de facto music director of New York City through his high-profile Philharmonic and Met gigs.

His name has a way of popping up in the unlikeliest places, including a recent press junket promoting the movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” When a Finnish interviewer asked the actress Holly Hunter about what it was like to appear in such a blockbuster, Ms. Hunter steered the conversation in an unexpected direction. “Esa-Pekka Salonen,” Ms. Hunter began, apologizing for her digression. “I was longing for him to come to the New York Philharmonic.”

During a recent interview over an iced green tea, Mr. Salonen appeared more than happy with the way things have worked out. He likened his extended New York sojourn this year to the relationship he had formed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since stepping down as its music director in 2009, after 17 years, to devote more time to composing, other projects and his family. “Now when I go back, I guess it could be as a grandparent,” said Mr. Salonen, a youthful 57. “You just see the kids, have a good time — and then somebody else is in charge!”