Five recordings compete for the Classical Emma Award

Five classical music recordings compete for the Emma Awards, which are given annually by IFPI Finland for the year's best albums. Two of the nominees come from the catalogue of Alba Records, two from record company Ondine. The fifth candidate album has been released on Impala label by Texicalli Records, better known for its folk and jazz catalogue.

Alba's candidates represent Finnish orchestral and choral music. Transient Moods includes three works by Pehr Henrik Nordgren played by Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and Juha Kangas. Lehdellä – Among the Leaves is a celebration of the 80-year old choir Hämäläis-Osakunnan Laulajat, with works of composers Alex Freeman, Matthew Whittall, Jarmo Parviainen and Juho Miettinen.

Ondine's two nominees are both duo recordings by Finnish artists of a great international career. Soprano Soile Isokoski and pianist Marita Viitasalo recorded a highly acclaimed cd of Paul Hindemith's Das Marienleben (new version 1948). Ismo Eskelinen and Pekka Kuusisto play Niccolò Paganini duos for violin and guitar.

Texicalli's recording introduces the genre-breaking music of Timo Alakotila, with Vox Artis chamber orchestra and accordion soloist Johanna Juhola. The works are strongly influenced by Nordic folk music, though they have been written for a chamber orchestra in a classical concerto form.

Emma 2009 Award Gala takes place on 4 February 2010. The awards are issued in over twenty different categories.

Merja Hottinen / Fimic
4 February, 2010