Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of the most adventurous orchestras in Europe and one of the best orchestras in a country that has more symphonies per capita than any other. Based in Helsinki, it is the primary radio orchestra of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle).
The FRSO was founded in 1927 as a small studio ensemble at Finnish Radio, the state-owned broadcasting organization led by Erkki Linko. The orchestra grew over the next several decades, reaching symphony orchestra size in 1947, and now comprises about 90 members. Its repertory is made up primarily of Classical and Romantic works, but also includes those of the Post-Romantic, Modern, and contemporary eras. In its performances and recordings, the orchestra has become a significant advocate for contemporary Finnish composers. It premieres new works commissioned by the broadcasting company each year; during the 2018-2019 season, the FRSO premiered four such works.
Its first chief conductor was Toivo Haapanen, who held the post from 1929 until 1950. Other conductors for the FRSO include Paavo Berglund, Leif Segerstam, Okku Kamu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Sakari Oramo. Hannu Lintu was named chief conductor in 2013, holding this post until 2021. Nicholas Collon was selected to become the chief conductor beginning in 2021. Under Saraste, tours became a regular practice for the orchestra and have taken it through Europe, Asia, the U.S., and the Canary Islands.
In addition to all of the FRSO's concerts being broadcast, the orchestra has made dozens of recordings. In 1939, the FRSO made its first recording, which is the only surviving recording of Jean Sibelius conducting. Other Finnish composers featured on FRSO releases include Leif Segerstam, Leevi Madetoja, Paavo Heininen, Joonas Kokkonen, Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, Aarre Merikanto, Aulis Sallinen, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Väinö Raitio, Jouni Kaipainen, Uuno Klami, and Eero Hämeenniemi. The orchestra has won several kudos, including two Grammophone awards: one in 2006 for Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto and the other in 2018 for Bartók: Violin Concertos. In 2019, the orchestra was heard on the Ondine album Kaija Saariaho: True Fire; Trans; Ciel d'hiver, which earned a Grammy award nomination. The FRSO has recorded mainly for the BIS and Ondine labels.
© Joseph Stevenson & Keith Finke /TiVo
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KOKKONEN, J.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 / Opus sonorum (Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Uuno Klami: Cheremissian Fantasy, Sea Pictures, Kalevala Suite
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Fazer Records - Finlandia on Nov. 26, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pohjola: Symphonies 1 & 2
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Alba on Jul. 16, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
VILLA-LOBOS, H.: Introduction to Choros / Guitar Concerto / 12 Etudes (Korhonen, Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Timo Korhonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Raitio: Orchestral Works (Fantasia poetica, Fantasia estatica, The Swans, etc.
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
HAKOLA, K.: Clarinet Concerto / Verdoyances Crepuscules / Diamond Street (Kriikku, Tukia, Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Kari Kriikku, Esa Tukia, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vocal Recital: Mattila, Karita - WAGNER, R. / DVORAK, A. / VERDI, G. / STRAUSS II / SIBELIUS, J. / MADETOJA, L. / HOLLANDER, F. (Karita Live!)
Karita Mattila, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Peter Lerche, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
CRUSELL, B.H.: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1-3 (Kriikku, Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Kari Kriikku, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pingoud: Profeetta / Le Chant De L'Espace / Chantecler / Flambeaux Eteints / Diableries Galantes
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wing on Wing
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Deutsche Grammophon (DG) on Jan. 1, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Orchestra: Music From The App
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Signum Records on Jan. 29, 2013
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
John-Edward Kelly Plays Anders Eliasson
Arcos Orchestra, John Edward Kelly, Bob Versteegh, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leif Segerstam
Classical - Released by NEOS Music on Mar. 11, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Aarre Merikanto : Orchestral Works
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Fazer Records - Finlandia on Jul. 17, 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
NORDGREN, P.H.: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 5 (Finish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Elgar / Dvorák : Cello Concertos - Bartók : Rhapsody No.1
Arto Noras, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Fazer Records - Finlandia on Nov. 24, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heimo Haitto Plays Sibelius
Heimo Haitto, Paavo Berglund, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Finlandia Classics on Jan. 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
LINDBERG, M.: Feria / Corrente II / Arena (Finnish Radio Symphony, Saraste)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
WEBER, C.M. von: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / Clarinet Concertino / Clarinet Quintet (Kriikku)
Kari Kriikku, New Helsinki Quartet, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sebastian Fagerlund: Drifts, Stonework & Guitar Concerto "Transit"
Ismo Eskelinen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by BIS on Mar. 2, 2018
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
KLAMI, U.: Lemminkainen's Adventures on an Island / The Cobblers on the Heath / Karelian Rhapsody / A Karelian Market / In the Belly of Vipunen
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Petri Lindroos, Sakari Oramo, Polytech Male Choir
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
KAIPAINEN, J.: Symphony No. 2 / Oboe Concerto / Sisyphus Dreams
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helen Jahren, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on Jan. 1, 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo