This recording felt like a musical representation of the last 18 months. From a world premiere recording to a piece that was recorded on separate continents, it’s a miracle that this album ever came into existence thanks to the difficulties of performing in these strained times. Pekka Kuusisto is well known in his native Finland for his championing of contemporary composers, and having only just taken over the tenure as artistic director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, he is using this opportunity to do what he does best – be adventurous.

Shrink is the latest offering from a Melbourne favourite Nico Muhly. A contemporary violin concerto written for and dedicated to Kuusisto and co- commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Shrink premiered here in Melbourne in December 2019 in a highly praised performance. How wonderful to revisit this piece here in its world premiere recording. Philip Glass’ ‘The Orchard’ finds Kuusisto and US-based Muhly collaborating again, as they try to work out how to record the piece while stuck on opposite sidesof the Atlantic Ocean. Entering different recording studios, they each put down their tracks and somehow the beauty of their friendship shines through this ‘separate yet together’ approach to modern recording. The album finishes with Kuusisto’s own arrangement of Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 3. It was instantly recognisable to my ears as a long-time classical music listener, though this arrangement stands out for its sumptuous timbre, due to Kuusisto’s use of a full string orchestra.

Kate Rockstrom is a friend of Readings.