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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Bartók : Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Christian Tetzlaff, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Violin Concertos - Released by Ondine on 13 Apr 2018
Gramophone AwardGramophone: Recording of the Month24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
György Ligeti : Violin Concerto - Lontano - Atmosphères - San Francisco Polyphony
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Schmid, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 24 Sep 2013
Gramophone Editor's Choice24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Olivier Messiaen : Turangalîla-Symphonie
Angela Hewitt, Valerie Hartmann-Claverie, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 3 Jun 2014
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
Stephen Hough, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Hyperion on 1 May 2020
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Lutosławski : Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4 & Jeux vénitiens
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Symphonies - Released by Ondine on 9 Nov 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Outi Tarkiainen: Midnight Sun Variations & Other Orchestral Works
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Daniel, Nicholas Collon
Classical - Released by Ondine on 2 Feb 2024
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Lutosławski: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 7 Feb 2020
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Lotta Wennäkoski: Sigla
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sivan Magen, Nicholas Collon
Classical - Released by Ondine on 3 Feb 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Saariaho : True Fire, Ciel d'hiver & Trans (Live)
Gerald Finley, Xavier de Maistre, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 10 May 2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5
Olli Mustonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 8 Sep 2017
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Sibelius: Tapiola, En saga & Songs
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Christoffer Sundqvist, Anne Sofie von Otter, Hannu Lintu, Ilari Angervo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 13 Oct 2017
Gramophone Editor's Choice24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3 & 4
Olli Mustonen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 9 Sep 2016
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen-Suite, Pohjola's Daughter
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 14 Apr 2015
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Kaija Saariaho : La Passion de Simone
Dawn Upshaw, Dominique Blanc, Tapiolan Kamarikuoro, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Ondine on 5 Mar 2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Berio: Ritirata notturna di Madrid, Calmo & Sinfonia
Classical - Released by Ondine on 29 Sep 2014
Gramophone Editor's Choice24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Tüür: Peregrinus ecstaticus - Le poids des vies non vécues - Noēsis
Christoffer Sundqvist, Pekka Kuusisto, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 27 Jan 2017
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
LINDBERG, M.: Graffiti / Seht die Sonne (Helsinki Chamber Choir / Finnish Radio Symphony, Oramo)
Helsinki Chamber Choir, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Ondine on 23 Feb 2010
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
D'om le vrai sens - Laterna Magica - Leino Songs
Kari Kriikku, Anu Komsi, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
Classical - Released by Ondine on 6 Sep 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major & Blumine
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 30 Oct 2015
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Magnus Lindberg: Tempus fugit & Violin Concerto No. 2
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 14 Aug 2018
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Magnus Lindberg: Al largo, Cello Concerto No. 2 & Era
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anssi Karttunen, Hannu Lintu
Classical - Released by Ondine on 4 Mar 2016
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo