Changes to hymn texts in the 1986 Finnish Hymnal faced opposition because familiar hymns are a cornerstone of Finnish religious feeling, often learned in childhood.
Performer Biography
Osmo Vänskä, the principal conductor of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, won first prize in the 1982 Besançon International Young Conductor's Competition.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in the Church of the Cross, the parish church of Keski-Lahti, which was designed by academician Alvar Aalto and completed in 1978.
Album & Artwork
This album, "Finnish Hymns 3," is the third disc in a series by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, demonstrating the enduring appeal of hymns in the Finnish hymnal.
Composer's Artistic Vision
A key criterion for hymn selection is the musical quality of the tunes, measured by their durability over decades and centuries, unlike ephemeral pop hits.
Interpretation
The arrangements for this album were created by members of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra itself, including conductor Osmo Vänskä, leader Jaakko Kuusisto, and composer-in-residence Kalevi Aho.
Album & Artwork
While there is no single overarching theme, the hymns on this album convey a mood of comfort, security under God's guidance, and gratitude for life.
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