Maestro move: Another Finn star steps down

Christmas has come early in Helsinki and everyone’s at the sales.

First Esa-Pekka Salonen calls time on London’s Philharmonia – only to upgrade to San Francisco.

Now Osmo Vanskaa has decided to end the most prolific orchestra-conductor partnership in America.

He will leave Minnesota in 2022, it was announced last night.

To go to London, perhaps? The Philharmonia and London Philharmonic are both vacant.

Heb has been an exemplary leader, standing with the musicians through a 15-month lockout and staying on to rebuild confidence in the aftermath.

press release:

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (December 5, 2018) — Osmo Vänskä announced plans today at the Minnesota Orchestra’s annual meeting to conclude his tenure as Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra in August 2022. The 2021-22 season, his final as music director, will mark his 19th year at the helm of the Minnesota Orchestra, capping what is widely considered one of the great musical partnerships in Minnesota Orchestra history. Beyond 2022, Mr. Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra will maintain their musical relationship, with Mr. Vänskä returning for ongoing concert engagements.