Contemporary/classicalReviews2018

"Pianist Risto-Matti Marin has formed a meaningful musical whole out of five works, all recorded for the first time, by four contemporary composers living in Finland."

"One can almost listen to Kaipainen's three solo accordion works as a sonata, perhaps a super-sonata in view of the sheer intensity of the music."

"The assurance of the two soloists is matched by performances of pyrotechnical brilliance from the Turku Philharmonic players under their two conductors. The recorded sound is of the usual BIS standard of excellence, and the album as a whole is a valuable addendum to the label’s ongoing representative of this indefatigable figure."

"Fridrich Bruk’s music has roots in the tradition of Russian colourful orchestral music. The Latvian kantele-like instrument kokle brings a refreshing twist to the sound palette."

"Though it’s naturally heartening to see Finnish musicians on a Finnish label keeping up the stream of Nordgren recordings, it’s high time the rest of the world caught on to this remarkable music."

"Lindberg makes use of characteristic stepwise harmonic progressions and a gorgeously bright orchestration, with brass fanfares and outbursts of solo piano."

"It's more about words than action, and, musically, more about continuity than sharp contrasts. Fagerlund's music is charged with eruptive energy, and provides a dark and sorrowful autumnal setting for the characters' emotional struggles."

"The various stylistic influences from post-tonal classical to blues and jazz blend seamlessly together in Hille’s compositions; what is common in them seems to matter more than what is incompatible. A worthy principle to follow in any area of life."

"Tetzlaff’s and Süssman’s vision of Rautavaara's music is lucid and profound, never overly sentimental but always highly expressive."

"The orchestra is a natural medium of expression for Sebastian Fagerlund. The BIS recording of three rather recent orchestral works shows different aspects of his orchestral language through excellent performances by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu."

"This release is a must for any guitar aficionado and probably Tolonen’s best recording. As of yet.​"

"One imagines that Nordgren would have been thrilled by the playing of the Kokkola Quartet and their guests."