Dvořák Violin Concerto & Sibelius 1

Conductor laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra, where he held the music directorship for 19 years, and music director of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, 2020-23, Osmo Vänskä is recognized 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.

This season, Osmo returns to the symphony and philharmonic orchestras of Bamberg, Chicago, Los Angeles, Helsinki, Israel, Houston, Montreal, and Pittsburgh, among others. Past guest conducting invitations include renowned international ensembles such as the Cleveland, Philadelphia, and San Francisco symphony orchestras in North America; Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Iceland Symphony, Berlin’s Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester and Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He is regularly invited to guest conduct in Asia, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony and Shanghai Symphony, and China, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taiwan philharmonic orchestras.

A distinguished recording artist for the BIS label, Osmo is currently recording all of Mahler’s symphonies with the Minnesota Orchestra. The Fifth Symphony received a Grammy nomination in 2017 for Best Orchestral Performance. He and Minnesota have also recorded the complete symphonies of Beethoven and Sibelius to critical acclaim, winning a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance in 2014 as well as several other nominations. In 2021, they were voted Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year.

Described as “superb” by The New York Times, violinist Tai Murray has established herself a musical voice of a generation. “Technically flawless… vivacious and scintillating… It is without doubt that Murray’s style of playing is more mature than that of many seasoned players…” (Muso Magazine).

Appreciated for her elegance and effortless ability, Tai creates a special bond with listeners through her personal phrasing and subtle sweetness. Her programming reveals musical intelligence. Her sound, sophisticated bowing and choice of vibrato, remind us of her musical background and influences, principally Yuval Yaron (a student of Gingold and Heifetz) and Franco Gulli. Tai is a 2004 Avery Fisher Career Grant winner and a BBC New Generation Artist (2008-2010). As a chamber musician, she was a member of Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society II (2004-2006).

She has performed as guest soloist on the main stages world-wide, performing with leading ensembles such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Symphony Orchestra, and all of the BBC Symphony Orchestras. She is also a dedicated advocate of contemporary works (written for the violin). Among others, she performed the world premiere of Malcolm Hayes’s violin concerto at the BBC Proms, in the Royal Albert Hall.

As a recitalist, Tai has visited many of the world’s capitals, having appeared in Berlin, Chicago, Hamburg, London, Madrid, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Paris, and Washington D.C., among many others.

Her critically acclaimed debut recording for Harmonia Mundi of Ysaye’s six sonatas for solo violin was released in 2012. Her second recording, with works by American composers of the 20th century, was released by the Berlin-based label EaSonus, and her third disc with the Bernstein Serenade on the French label Mirare.

Tai plays a violin by Tomaso Balestrieri Fecit Mantua ca. 1765, on generous loan from a private collection.

She is an adjunct assistant professor of violin at the Yale School of Music, where she teaches applied violin and coaches chamber music. She earned artist diplomas from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and The Juilliard School.