“There was plenty of substance in Sibelius’s Symphony No 2, however, where the strings of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra provided the liquid energy that kept the symphonic argument surging forwards. Oramo showed masterly management of the music’s ebb and flow, and the tempo changes never jarred, the third movement flowing into the finale with triumphal inevitability.”

“Taavi Oramo should get great praise since he jumped in on two days’ notice and the way he tackled the whole told of musicality well above the ordinary. Oramo’s musical instincts appear eerily accurate and the whole was realised in a way that felt to a large extent right. (...) Overall the musik making was immensely tasteful and style sensitive. ”

“The four hour concert was twice the length of a normal one. It was a great challenge for Oramo and an even greater success. Oramo, extremely musical, conducted calmly and securely and created an intimate and sensitively reactive connection with the players and singers. (...) [In Beethoven’s Mass in C Major] Oramo united the soloists, choir and orchestra into a coulourful symphonic whole. ”

“Taavi Oramo could have had an illustrious career as a clarinetist or at least as well as a singer but it seems like a conductor’s path attracts the most. And why not? His voice and his clarinet will see use in the future and Oramo is so obviously gifted as a conductor that it would have been a real pity if that path had not been explored seriously. (...) From friday’s concert in Tapiola it appeared clear that the technical side is one of Oramo’s greatest strengths. If I were an orchestral musician I would love to play under his extremely clear, mannerism-free and altogether natural lead.”

“There are many reasons to predict that Taavi Oramo will be the next young Finnish conductor to rise to international acclaim. (...) Although his gestures are generally soft, when necessary he will be more assertive and get fantastic rises from the orchestra. (...) [In Scriabin’s piano concerto] in addition to being a conductor Oramo is a clarinetist and a singer and he has the skill to make an orchesta sing with passion. (...) [In Arnold Schönberg’s Chamber Symphony] Oramo’s work in the complex structures of the piece was precise and strict but at the same time breathing and lively. ”

“[Jumping in for James Gaffigan] Taavi Oramo conducted Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra calmly and firmly. [Oramo] got to prove his versatility in the three completely different works performed. (…) The collaboration between Conrad Tao and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Oramo went well. In Oramo a firm calmness is combined with accuracy and suppleness. Gestures are economical.”

“Jubilees by Magnus Lindberg sounded more full-blooded, flowing and dynamic than the recording conducted by the composer himself. Oramo’s interpretation had graphicness, accurately directed crispness and lush sensualness. With the warm support of Tapiola Sinfonietta’s players Taavi Oramo proved that his talent carries.”

“The multi-talented Taavi Oramo is only taking his first steps as a conductor but it’s immediately clear that another Finnish conductor is on his way to an international career. Oramo was invited on just a few days’ notice to jump in for Mario Venzago. Even so the repertoire including the challenging Wennäkoski was perfectly under control. (…) The strings of the Tapiola Sinfonietta were a perfect ensemble to interpret Oramo’s visions of Verklärte Nacht by Schönberg. Romantic conventions were broken for a challengingly fresh interpretation.”