Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä became the Minnesota Orchestra's tenth music director in September 2003. Praised for his intense and dynamic performances, Vänskä is recognized for compelling interpretations of the standard, contemporary and Nordic repertoires, as well as the close rapport he establishes with the musicians he leads. In his initial seasons in Minnesota, Vänskä has drawn acclaim for concerts both at home and abroad, conducting the Orchestra on an eleven-city 2004 tour of Europe—including performances in Vienna, Berlin, London and Lahti, Finland—and a five-city 2005 tour of Minnesota. During his tenure, he has also led a programming emphasis on Beethoven and Nielsen, been named "Conductor of the Year" by Musical America and made his Twin Cities' clarinet performance debut at 2005 Sommerfest, performing the Beethoven Clarinet Trio. Vänskä recently extended his tenure with the Minnesota Orchestra through 2011.

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