Helsingin Sanomat calls him a romantic virtuoso, Aamulehti praises his Beethoven interpretation as one of an experienced master, Rondo Classic describes his sound as romantic. Almost unanimously critics have named him a piano poet. The rise of Ossi Tanner (b. 1997) to become one of Finland’s most acclaimed and most active concert pianists can be called a phenomenon rarely seen in Finland.

Tanner has performed as a soloist in the seasonal concerts of the best symphony orchestras in Finland even before winning the Tampere Piano Competition in 2017. He has played with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Oulu Symphony Orchestra, Jyväskylä Symphony Orchestra, Lohja City Orchestra, Seinajoki City Orchestra, Vaasa City Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, and Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. He has worked with renowned conductors from Sakari Oramo to Joshua Weilerstein, Nicholas Collon and Eiji Oue, Klaus Makela to Hannu Lintu, Susanna Malkki, Tarmo Peltokoski and Jukka Untamala.

“A few special performances have stuck in my mind: I have played Chopin’s E Minor Concerto under the direction of Klaus Mäkelä and Sakari Oramo. I performed the F Minor Concerto in Lahti with Hannu Lintu. I recently played Gershwin with the Finnish Radio Chief Conductor Nick Collon. Great experiences and unforgettable moments with wonderful musicians.”

From 2021, Tanner has been the Artistic Director of the Kamarikesä Festival held at the House of Nobility in Helsinki together with Abel Puustinen and Klaara Vasara. During their leadership, the festival has grown in popularity even more, as evidenced by the record ticket sales result of summer 2023.

“Expanding upon the traditional chamber music repertoire, we are actively exploring innovative concert concepts. Emphasizing the inclusion of contemporary music is a key aspect of our programming. Kamarikesä will host Finland’s most promising young musicians alongside internationally acclaimed emerging artists.”

Tanner has made a big impression at music festivals in Turku, Naantali and Mänttä, PianoEspoo Festival, Kokkola SyysKamari, Helsinki Seriös and Lahti Sibelius Festival. He has also performed in the chamber concerts of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oulu Symphony Orchestra.