Esa-Pekka Salonen : NPR

San Francisco Symphony Names Esa-Pekka Salonen As Its Music Director

The Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. Andrew Eccles /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andrew Eccles /Courtesy of the artist

San Francisco Symphony Names Esa-Pekka Salonen As Its Music Director

December 5, 2018 • In a surprise move, the orchestra announced Wednesday that it is bringing composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen aboard as its music director, beginning in September 2020.

Slimmed-Down Gramophone Awards Honor Home Team

The album cover for Dutilleux' Correspondances and other works, which won the Contemporary prize at the 2013 Gramophone Awards. courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon hide caption

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courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon

Slimmed-Down Gramophone Awards Honor Home Team

August 27, 2013 • The British magazine has trimmed down the number for awards being handed in its 90th annual prize ceremony. Is that good or bad for classical music?

Henri Dutilleux: Correspondances

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It's Time To Party: Summer Songs

Classical Party: A Summer Night To Remember

90.9 WGUC

August 6, 2009 • Summer may seem like the shortest of seasons, but at least the evenings are long and warm. As we wend our way into August, when the sticky air makes it easy to forget how little time remains until fall, here are five pieces by classical composers who embraced summer nights. Here's hoping the music signifies both summertime and celebration the next time you spend a hot night entertaining guests.

Five Modern Classical Pieces for Pop Listeners

November 21, 2007 • In his new book The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century, critic Alex Ross explores the richness of classical music created in turbulent times. Out of 100 years of music, Ross picks five classics for curious listeners.

American Public Media

September 7, 2007 • Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes takes a fresh approach to an old classic. He taps into the spirit of the Norwegian countryside in a concert performance of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto, with Esa-Pekka Salonen leading the L.A. Philharmonic.

2006's Top 10 Classical-Music Discoveries, from WGUC

December 12, 2006 • Cincinnati-based WGUC plays classical music 24 hours a day, reaching out to the genre's newcomers and longtime aficionados alike. WGUC music director Kent Teeters compiled this list of the 10 best classical CD discoveries of 2006.

Salonen on Sibelius: 'Finlandia'

December 1, 2006 • The symphonic poem "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius has become a deeply felt expression of patriotism for Finns. Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen talks about the origins of the work, and what it means to Finns today.

Hear Esa-Pekka Salonen discuss Sibelius' 'Finlandia'

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Esa-Pekka Salonen's Excellent Violin Adventure

Composer-conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen's award-winning Violin Concerto receives its debut recording. Mat Hennek/Deutsche Grammophon hide caption

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Mat Hennek/Deutsche Grammophon

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Esa-Pekka Salonen's Excellent Violin Adventure

October 16, 2012 • The composer-conductor's award-winning Violin Concerto makes a stunning CD debut with violinist and McArthur "genius grant" fellow Leila Josefowicz. The exceptionally vivid music says farewell to the LA Philharmonic, which he led for 17 years and turned into a model of innovation.

Violin Concerto [1. Mirage]

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Talk Like An Opera Geek: Game-Changing Composers In Postwar Europe

György Ligeti's surreal opera Le Grand Macabre was the hit of the New York Philharmonic's 2009-2010 season, in a semi-staged production that featured Barbara Hannigan (left) as Gepopo and Anthony Roth Costanzo as Prince Go-Go. Chris Lee/New York Philharmonic hide caption

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Chris Lee/New York Philharmonic