A 2020 GRAMMY nominee for best orchestral performance!This new release, the second volume in the Witold Lutoslawski symphony cycle by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra...

A 2020 GRAMMY nominee for best orchestral performance!

This new release, the second volume in the Witold Lutoslawski symphony cycle by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and its chief conductor Hannu Lintu, brings together two symphonies which belong to the most remarkable symphonic creations of the late 20th century. In his 2nd and 3rd symphonies Lutoslawski is laying out the principal foundations of his creative legacy. Conductor Hannu Lintuwas recently nominated for a GRAMMY for his recording of new works by Kaija Saariaho (ODE 1309-2) together with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He also won the Gramophone Award and ICMA Award for his recording of the Bartók Violin Concertos together with Christian Tetzlaff and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.The same recording was also nominated for the 2019 BBC Music Magazine Awards. Recordings by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu on Ondine have gathered numerous excellent reviews in the international press. Two of their recordings were nominated for Gramophone Awards in 2018. One of them, including orchestral works and songs by Jean Sibelius also won an ICMA Award in January 2018. The first volume of their Lutoslawski symphony cycle was chosen ‘Recording of the Month’ by the BBC Music Magazine in February 2019.

REVIEWS:

Lutoslawski's four symphonies are major works in the repertory, and they have been recorded a number of times. Symphony No. 2 dates from 1967. It has two connected movements: Hésitant and Direct. Symphony No. 3 was composed in 1983 and has five movements. Both of these are fascinating, rich, and imaginative with unusual orchestral textures, often convincingly dissonant and abrasive, with busts of energetic outbursts — as well as many sensitive, quiet episodes. Both symphonies are played with the greatest virtuosity by the Finnish orchestra. The recordings were made November 2018 in Helsinki’s Music Center. The multi-channel recording is outstanding, capturing all of the unusual sonorities in a spacious sonic setting.

– Classical CD Review

Lintu’s performances are superb. In the Symphony No. 3, there is a good deal of fast and intricate writing for the woodwind and strings and this is realized with confidence and a verve which goes beyond previous performances I have heard. The brass can menace and roar as required and the tuned percussion adds vivid colour.

– MusicWeb International