As a conductor, Osmo Vänskä is recognised for his compelling interpretations of repertoire of all ages and an energetic presence on the podium. His democratic and inclusive style of work has been key in forging long-standing relationships with many orchestras worldwide. Vänskä is also active as a clarinettist and composer, writing music as a response to events, personal friendships and the composers whose music he admires.

During his final season as Conductor Laureate of Minnesota Orchestra, where he held the Music Directorship for 19 years, Vänskä conducted the premiere of Overture. Inspired by Kurt Weill’s Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra, Vänskä wrote the 12-minute work as a companion piece to the concerto. A revised version of Overture premiered with Sinfonia Lahti in January 2023, conducted by Vänskä.

In 2018 after Erin Keefe and I performed the Weill with Minnesota Orchestra, I copied out the first two notes of his piece with the idea that perhaps someday in future I could return to them and compose a companion piece using a similar instrumentation as a prelude to the concerto. In October of 2020 during a mandatory two-week quarantine in Seoul I started working on it, and the Overture was completed in March of 2021.

Vänskä also enjoys working with Curtis Institute of Music, where his Clarinet Quintet premieres in November 2024 with Erin Keefe, Emmalena Huning, Annis Ma, Hun Choi and Vänskä. He continues to develop a visiting and touring relationship with the Symphony Orchestra, leading conducting seminars as well as tours in Europe, the US and Asia. 

The music of my quintet is largely based on my personal experiences and memories. There is nostalgia, enthusiasm, frustration, joy and melancholy. This music does not so much look to the future, but rather to the past, to the life already lived, and that is why it sounds more traditional than modern.