Each of the CD releases in his Beethoven Symphonies cycle with the Minnesota Orchestra for BIS Records broadcast the exceptional dynamism of this musical partnership to audiences worldwide. The New Yorker writes: “This is some of the most vivid Beethoven playing on the market” (November 2006). With the Minnesota Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä has toured Europe's major concert halls and festivals to great acclaim from both press and public alike.
As Music Director of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra since 1988, Vänskä transformed the regional ensemble into one of Finland’s flagship orchestras. In May 2008, after two decades at the helm of the Lahti, Vänskä will become that ensemble’s Conductor Laureate.
Vänskä is heavily in demand internationally as a guest conductor with the world’s leading orchestras, which leaves only little – but precious - time for him to follow basketball and hockey, and to pursue his interest in motorcycles; not to mention his continuing prowess as a clarinettist. He resides with his wife, Pirkko, primarily in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Amongst the many honours and distinctions he has been awarded are a Royal Philharmonic Society Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to classical music during 2001; and in December 2004, Musical America's Conductor of the Year Award.
Biography
