The Philadelphia Orchestra

Oct. 18-20, 8 p.m., $10-$113, Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

by Peter Burwasser

Finland, of all places, has become something of an orchestra-conductor factory in recent years. Finns are waving little sticks in front of musicians all over the world, including several prominent posts in the U.S. Minneapolis, a well-known outpost for Scandinavian-Americans, has had a fine orchestra for decades, one often on the brink of greatness. Today, with Osmo Vänskä at the helm, they seem poised to cross that threshold, if they have not already done so. It takes a Finn. Vänskä will be the guest conductor of the home team this week, almost predictably given music of his most famous compatriot, Sibelius, although his Beethoven is as incisive and vital as any interpreter on the scene today. We will get some standard rep from him, as well, the magnificent Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, with another Scandinavian as soloist, the Norwegian master Leif Ove Andsnes.

Oct. 18-20, 8 p.m., $10-$113, Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.