Search - Segerstam, Finnish Radio Sym Orch :: Deluge / Symphonies 21 & 23

Leif Segerstam's most recent symphonies have been large-scale, post-modern experiments with free tonalities and flowing, expressionistic images, rife with polystylistic sound clusters, and shifting (and shifty) moods. It's also about as far as you can get from the romanticism of Jean Sibelius, the godfather of all Finnish music. This disc contains two symphonies that are themselves experiments: In both Symphony 21 (Deluge) and Symphony 23 (Afterthoughts Questioning Questionings), there is no conductor. The orchestras are directed only by notations in the score; but since this music works only when well-rehearsed (and it does work), it hardly matters who is at the helm. These are rugged, enthralling symphonies that will appeal only to the extremely adventurous. But with Segerstam, one thing is clear: there's never a dull moment. --Paul Cook