Conductor Herbert Blomstedt is a member of the top rank of modern conductors, having held long-term music directorships in both Europe and the U.S., specializing in Romantic and early 20th century repertory. He made his professional debut in 1954 with the Stockholm Philharmonic and was appointed the music director of the Nörrkoping Symphony. The first part of Blomstedt's career was marked by Scandinavian successes. He held posts for the Oslo Philharmonic, Royal Danish Symphony, and the Staatskapelle Dresden. Blomstedt then served as the music director of the San Francisco Symphony. He returned to Europe as the music director of the NDR Symphony, then took the same post with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Blomstedt's recording catalog is vast, comprising well over 125 albums. His recording of the Brahms Symphony No. 2, with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, was released in 2021.