Esa-Pekka Salonen

Conductor and composer renowned for his interpretations of contemporary music and countless premieres of new works. Led critically acclaimed festivals of music by Berlioz, Ligeti, Schönberg, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky. Music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for seventeen years, leading the construction of Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall and inspiring a whole new audience of fervent listeners to classical music, especially new music. As a composer, he bridged the divide between passion and intellect with exceptional force and clarity. Salonen has received awards from UNESCO, the French, Finnish, and Sweedish governments, and a Grammy award.