John Storgards - Madetoja: Symphony No. 2

This new release of works by Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947) features his Symphony No. 2, the symphonic poem Kullervo and Elegy - the first movement from the Symphonic Suite, Op. 4.Madetoja's Second Symphony, premi�red in December 1918, was the most significant piece of music written in Finland since the symphonies of Sibelius. In the tone poem, he paints an image of Kullervo, the anti-hero of the Finnish national epic Kalevala, with tragedy and pathos. John Storg�rds, one of Finland's exceptional artists, has taken the classical music world by storm in recent decades. Since 2008, Storg�rds has been Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Philharmonic Orchestra since 2012. Ondine will release all three symphonies by Madetoja with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of John Storg�rds. This first release of Symphony No. 2 will be followed by Symphonies No. 1 & 3 in 2014.