Mariss Jansons, the conductor, aimed to create an 'artistic dialogue' across centuries by juxtaposing Beethoven's symphonies with commissioned works from contemporary composers.
Recording & Production
The Beethoven symphonies on this album were recorded live in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, known for its highly-praised and unique acoustics.
Composition History
Raminta Šerkšnyte's 'Fires' was commissioned by Mariss Jansons and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, and its title is inspired by the tempo marking 'Allegro con brio' from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
Performer Biography
Mariss Jansons, the conductor, studied violin, piano, and conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory and completed his education with Hans Swarowsky and Herbert von Karajan.
Compositional Technique
In 'Fires', Raminta Šerkšnyte uses modern playing techniques, such as wind noises from the wind instruments and playing on the bridge for the violins, to create 'strange noises'.
Composer Biography
Raminta Šerkšnyte, the Lithuanian composer of 'Fires', considers a symphony orchestra to be 'the most multifaceted instrument in existence'.
Critical Reception
The complete Beethoven symphony cycle by Mariss Jansons and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks was praised by the British music magazine Gramophone for Jansons's 'flawless command of rhythm'.
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