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Latvian conductor. Son of Arvids Jansons. Born in German-occupied Riga in the Reichskommissariat Ostland (1943). Won the Herbert von Karajan Conductors Competition (1971) and began working with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra as assistant to Yevgeny Mravinsky (1972). Appointed assistant principal conductor (1985). Principal conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (since 1979) and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (since 1997). Made acclaimed performances with the leading ensembles of North America and Europe, including the Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. Conducted the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra during its tours of Europe, Japan and Latin America and made a series of recordings with the orchestra for EMI, including the symphonies of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Voted EMI Artist of the Year (1996).