Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year Award is the only Gramophone Classical Music Award decided by public vote. The 10 orchestras nominated this year are: Academy of Ancient Music, Accademia Bizantina, Bamberger Symphoniker, Berliner Philharmoniker, The Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Philharmonia Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich.

This week, we focus on the Minnesota Orchestra ...

Introduction

Under Osmo Vänskä, this always enterprising ensemble, with a long recorded history, has been exploring the twin peaks that are the symphonies of Mahler and Sibelius. Mahler’s Seventh impressed Edward Seckerson who was not surprised that this would be the symphony to chime most with Vänskä. Sibelius’s symphonies were gathered together in a celebratory box last autumn, of which Rob Cowan commented that ‘Vänska’s Minnesota Sibelius is direct and energetic, its powerful atmosphere achieved more through honesty than affectation, the darkly purposeful second movement of the Second being typical’.

Recommended Albums

Sibelius Symphonies

Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä

‘Vänska’s Minnesota Sibelius is direct and energetic, its powerful atmosphere achieved more through honesty than affectation, the darkly purposeful second movement of the Second being typical ...’ (Rob Cowan)

Mahler Symphony No 7

Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä

‘The brilliance and clarity of this performance (and recording – BIS’s technical prowess much in evidence), to say nothing of Vänskä’s way with rhythm and articulation, is in itself the source of much pleasure – and it almost goes without saying that he relishes to the full Mahler’s flabbergasting gifts as an orchestral colourist in the inner movements ...’ (Edward Seckerson)

Read the review

Minnesota Orchestra Playlist

Enjoy recent highlights from the Minnesota Orchestra in our exclusive Apple Music playlist.

Apple Music offers a three-month free trial to new subscribers and with its vast catalogue of recordings – plus the addition of lossless audio and Spatial Audio, offering an immersive audio experience from 44.1kHz/16-bit (CD quality) up to 192kHz/24-bit – it is the perfect music streaming platform for anyone who loves classical music. Find out more and start your free trial here: Apple Music 

Listen to all of the Orchestra of the Year playlists on Apple Music: Orchestra of the Year 2021

Vote for the Minnesota Orchestra

You can cast your vote for Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year 2021 either using the voting form below or by following this link: 2021 Orchestra of the Year Vote

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