Celebrating a Visionary Leader
In the fall of 2000, his first time on the Orchestra Hall podium, few in Minnesota had heard of Osmo Vänskä—and fewer still knew how to say his name. But over his 19-year tenure as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, he has built a legacy that will continue to live on in the ensemble's artistic excellence, service to its community and achievements as an American orchestra. Together with the Orchestra, Osmo fostered an incredible relationship with the record label BIS, led international tours as well as tours across our home state and championed programming that serves and reflects our entire community.
As we look forward to Osmo's final concerts as our artistic leader this weekend when he leads the Orchestra and choral partners in Mahler's sweeping Symphony of a Thousand, we asked Osmo to reflect on his own time as our music director.
PS—have you visited our Digital Concert Hall? This video was originally filmed as part of a livestreamed This Is Minnesota Orchestra concert; when you head over to our Digital Concert Hall you can find free and premium behind-the-scenes content, full performances and exclusive interviews.
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