Ossi Runne

Ossi Runne in 1948

Yrjö Osvald "Ossi" Runne (né Rundberg, born April 23, 1927 in Viipuri, Finland, now Vyborg, Russia) is a Finnish trumpeter, orchestra leader, composer, and record producer.

In the early part of his career, Runne was known as a trumpeter and an orchestra leader.[1] 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.[1] In 1965 he moved to Yleisradio and became head conductor of the national radio orchestra; later he led the TV 1 orchestra as well.[1] He retired from both positions in 1992.[2]

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)[1] at Luxembourg in 1966. Runne would go on to conduct 22 Finnish entries, ending in 1989.[2] In addition, he was also the Yleisradio Eurovision commentator in 1981 and 1990.[1]

He wrote an autobiography, Trumpetilla ja tahtipuikolla (With the trumpet and the baton) in 2003.[1]

List of bands affiliated with Runne[1]

References