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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Melartin: Orchestral Works
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Soile Isokoski, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 10 Jun 2016
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
SAARIAHO, K.: 5 Reflets de L'Amour de loin / Nymphea Reflection / Oltra Mar (Freund, Suovanen)
Pia Freund, Tapiola Chamber Choir, Gabriel Suovanen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
LINDBERG, M.: Piano Concerto / Kraft (Lindberg)
Magnus Lindberg, Toimii Ensemble, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2004
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Stravinsky: Le chant du rossignol, Symphony in C & Symphony in 3 Movements
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Classical - Released by Warner Classics on 26 Mar 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
SEGERSTAM, L.: Symphony No. 18 in one thought / Epitaph No. 6 / Impressions of Nordic Nature No. 4 / Flower Bouquet No. 43E (Segerstam)
Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannele Segerstam, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leif Segerstam, Pia Segerstam, Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Esa-Pekka Salonen : "Out Of Nowhere"
Leila Josefowicz, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen
Classical - Released by Deutsche Grammophon (DG) on 1 Jan 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sibelius: The Essential Orchestral Favourites
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Pekka Kuusisto, Leif Segerstam, Jean Sibelius
Classical - Released by Ondine on 11 Nov 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphonies n°5 et n°6
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 7 Aug 2012
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Respighi: Concerto in modo misolidio - Fontane di Roma
Olli Mustonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 28 Sep 2010
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Salonen: WIng on Wing; Dichotomie
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yefim Bronfman
Classical - Released by Deutsche Grammophon (DG) on 1 Jan 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
LINDBERG, M.: Clarinet Concerto / Gran Duo / Chorale (Kriikku, Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Kari Kriikku, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Klami : All'ouverture, Sea Pictures, Kalevala Suite
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Fazer Records - Finlandia on 15 Oct 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wennäkoski: Soie, Hava & Amor omnia Suite
Kersten McCall, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dima Slobodeniouk
Classical - Released by Ondine on 9 Jun 2015
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
KOKKONEN, J.: Cello Concerto / Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 (Finnish Radio Symphony)
Marko Ylonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
Stephen Hough, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Hyperion on 1 May 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition / St. John's Night on Bald Mountain
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Martti Talvela, Leif Segerstam, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by BIS on 31 Jan 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
LINDBERG, M.: Sculpture / Campana in Aria / Concerto for Orchestra (Tapani, Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa Tapani, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
MIELCK, E.: Symphony in F minor / Konzertstuck in D major
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, John Storgårds, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
SIBELIUS, J.: Violin Concerto in D minor / Tapiola / Symphony No. 7 (1954) (Oistrakh)
David Oïstrakh, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Beecham, Nils Eric Fougstedt
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
KOKKONEN, J.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 / Opus sonorum (Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 1 Jan 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 26 Nov 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo