May 25, 2001 - Word of Mouth Host Chris Roberts talks with Osmo Vänskä, the Minnesota Orchestra's new music director. Osmo Vanska, of Finland, says he's honored to have been chosen to lead what he called one of the great orchestras in the world. He says one of his primary goals is to build a team spirit and intimacy among musicians to engender a feeling and sound closer to a chamber ensemble, than a huge symphony orchestra.
November 19, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Minnesota Orchestra Concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis about anger local musicians have over a new aviation security bill, with calls to members of Minnesota's congressional delegation to express their concerns.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews Osmo Vänskä, Minnesota Orchestra’s new music director. Vänskä discusses his approach in building relationship with musicians as he raised his baton to conduct the Minnesota Orchestra for the first time since being named music director. While he doesn't officially assume the post until 2003, it's apparent he and the orchestra are keen to get working.
February 11, 2002 - MPR Classical Music Host Brian Newhouse talks with Minnesota Orchestra Manager Bob Neu about the orchestra holding a gala unveiling of its centennial season.
February 22, 2002 - The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra will play all nine of Beethoven's symphonies during its 2002-2003 season. SPCO Music Director Andreas Delfs tells MPR's Euan Kerr that he decided to do what he is calling the "Beethoven project" after conducting Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 with the orchestra. The season, announced by the Orchestra Thursday also includes four world premieres, and a new seating arrangement at the Ordway.
July 24, 2003 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Andrew Litton, the new director of The Minnesota Orchestra. Litton says he's honored to be leading Sommerfest into the future and says it's a great time for people and players to have fun. The Minnesota Orchestra has dropped the Viennese and added video screens to its Sommerfest.
August 13, 2003 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Tony Woodcock, who has been chosen to lead the Minnesota Orchestra as the new president replacing the retiring president, David Hyslop. The orchestra also begins an entirely different movement this fall with a new music director, Osmo Vänskä.
September 11, 2003 - An interview excerpt of Osmo Vänskä as he prepares to lift the baton for the first time as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. The Finnish conductor arrives as the orchestra celebrates its centennial. Vanska says he realizes he has to live up to many expectations.
September 18, 2003 - MPR's Stephanie Curtis reports that the Minnesota Orchestra is celebrating its centennial year with its new music director, Osmo Vänskä , finally in place. He is the orchestra's tenth music director and like others, he will be compared with his predecessors. Some critics say they hope the orchestra doesn't repeat mistakes made when it appointed Eiji Oue as music director.
January 1, 2004 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the Minnesota Opera's interpretation of the "The Handmaid's Tale." Not only has Poul Ruders’ modern opera been embraced by audiences and critics alike, it is also timely. Based on Margaret Atwood's novel, the production tells of a world where religion is used to justify political agendas and women are stripped of their rights.