The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, orchestra’s new chief conductor Susanna Mälkki and BIS Records have signed a recording contract which will result in an initial four discs to be recorded over the next few years. The first album to be released will contain music by Bartók and will be recorded in May 2017.

 “Susanna Mälkki’s first season as chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra will culminate in May of next year with a Bartók concert, which will include the ballet “The Wooden Prince”. This work will be recorded during this concert week and released together with Bartók’s Suite from “The Miraculous Mandarin” which will be recorded at a later date” says Gita Kadambi, General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

“For me, being half-Finnish and all-admirer of the HPO, it has been a long wait indeed to finally get to record this wonderful orchestra, and with the superb conductor Susanna Mälkki at that. I am looking forward to this co-operation with full expectations of a match, made in Heaven, resulting in real artistic high-points!” says Robert von Bahr, CEO of BIS Records.