The Seattle Symphony does right by Langgaard but not Strauss; Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Beethoven is micromanaged to death; Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester offers an ideal off-the-beaten-path Offenbach disc.
Esa-Pekka Salonen
Classical CD Reviews: Andris Nelsons conducts Shostakovich, Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Cello Concerto, Project W
Arguably, the strongest entry in the BSO’s complete Shostakovich symphony cycle thus far; Esa-Pekka Salonen’s 2016 Cello Concerto is emotionally direct and, at times, simply gorgeous; the resurgence of interest in the music of Boston-educated composer Florence Price is a good thing.
Rethinking the Repertoire #25: Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Foreign Bodies”
For a composer who hails from Finland but found his spiritual home in Southern California, Esa-Pekka Salonen’s is a singular musical voice.
Classical Music CD Review: Lutoslawski — The Complete Symphonies, Los Angeles Philharmonic/Esa-Pekka Salonen
It’s a pity Witold Lutoslawski’s music isn’t turning up on more orchestral programs in the U.S. this season and next – Benjamin Britten seems to be the centennial birthday boy of choice.
Fuse Classical CD Review: “Out of Nowhere” (Leila Josefowicz/Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen)
Now in his mid-50s, Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the most interesting and important composers of his generation and the recent attention his music is receiving is well deserved.
Concert Review: Discovery Ensemble/Courtney Lewis at Sanders Theater
Bravo to Courtney Lewis and the Discovery Ensemble for programming Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Five Images” and pulling off such an engrossing performance.
Classical CD Review: Shostakovich, Prologue to “Orango” and Symphony no. 4/Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Orango is one of the tantalizing “what might have been’s” of musical history: a biting social commentary on Soviet society on the fifteenth anniversary of the October Revolution, written when Shostakovich was at the height of his musical powers and popularity.
Concert Review: Leila Josefowicz and the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen
As the BSO searches for its new music director, Mr. Salonen’s name is sure to come up. While he’s probably a long-shot candidate, any orchestra that has him on their podium for a week or two a season should count itself lucky.