Santtu conducts Strauss

Santtu conducts Strauss is a 2-CD deluxe album with four works by Richard Strauss conducted by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, two of which are live recordings of Santtu’s 2021/22 opening concert and first concert as Principal Conductor at Royal Festival Hall.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali is a Finnish conductor and percussionist, and is currently principal conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Rouvali continues his relationships with orchestras across Europe, including with the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Munich Phillharmonic and the the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

“[Also sprach Zarathustra] Rouvali’s conducting of both is certainly interesting and personal… impressive, an expansive reading that sees the work whole…[An Alpine Symphony] undeniably picturesque, vivid and dramatically projected…top-notch playing, and this extravagant score also enjoys notable recorded sound… lingering lyricism, invariably heartfelt and, in conclusion, cathartic” – Colin’s Column

“Rouvali is already a great Straussian…speaks very well for the future of his partnership with the Philharmonia…This set is still a noteworthy benchmark for this new conductor/orchestra partnership…The recorded sound on these discs is mostly excellent” – Musicweb International

★★★★ Performance ★★★ Recording “[Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel] you can hear the excellence of the solo work, in the wind in particular” – BBC Music Magazine

“It’s generous in all senses, with extensive documentation accompanying performances that are expansive, vividly recorded and beautifully played…[Alpensinfonie] a handsome and ultimately rewarding performance…[Also sprach Zarathustra] is notable for a truly thrilling sunrise and some exciting climaxes elsewhere…an enjoyable release…[the performances] offer ample evidence of Rouvali as an interesting and far from conventional Straussian, and one well worth hearing” – Gramophone

“This whole album is just a huge success in my books. I mean to take something so epic –all these things are so epic and so massive and to still have so many refined nuances and tiny details and colours and attention to, you know, really beautiful harmonies… I think that the orchestra and Santtu really do a fine job of balancing these nuances together. It’s really incredible.”  – BBC Radio 3 Record Review

Format: 2CDs

Release date: 24/03/2023

Catalogue number: SIGCD720