Ossi Runne | |
|---|---|
 Ossi Runne in 1966 | |
| Born | Yrjö Osvald Rundberg 23 April 1927 |
| Died | 5 November 2020 (aged 93) Helsinki, Finland |
| Occupation | conductor |
Ossi Runne (23 April 1927 – 5 November 2020)[1] was a Finnish trumpeter, orchestra leader, composer, and record producer.[2]
He changed his name to Runne in 1936, and in the early part of his career was known as a trumpeter and an orchestra leader.[3] Upon his return to Finland from the post of conductor for the China Variety Orchestra in Stockholm in 1957, he joined the Musiikki-Fazer company as a studio manager.[3] In 1965 he moved to Yleisradio and became head conductor of the national radio orchestra; later he led the TV 1 orchestra as well.[3] He retired from both positions in 1992.[4]
He is perhaps most recognized for conducting Finland's entries at the Eurovision Song Contest. He first conducted the entry "Playboy" (which he also composed)[3] at Luxembourg in 1966. Runne would go on to conduct 22 Finnish entries, ending in 1989.[4] In addition, he was also the Yleisradio Eurovision commentator in 1981 and 1990.[3]
He wrote an autobiography, Trumpetilla ja tahtipuikolla (“With the trumpet and the baton”) in 2003.[3]
