Santtu conducts Strauss is a 2-CD deluxe album with four works by Richard Strauss conducted by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, two of which are live recordings of Santtu’s 2021/22 opening concert and first concert as Principal Conductor at Royal Festival Hall. Eine Alpensinfonie and Also sprach Zarathustra are live recordings of Santtu’s opening concert of the 2021/22 season, and his first concert with the Philharmo- nia as Principal Conductor. The concerts received great reviews. Tim Ashley (The Guardian) said “With the Philharmonia on tremendous form, Rouvali proved a fine Straussian, measured in his approach, and careful in his attention to detail and colour”. Rebecca Franks (The Times) awarded 5-star reviews: “There were “wow” moments aplenty as the Philharmonia laced up its hiking boots and happily hit every waymark in Strauss’s mountain journey: the glorious sunrise, the resplendent summit, the violent storm with wind machine, thunder sheet and organ.”
“[Also sprach Zarathustra] Rouvali’s conducting of both is certainly interesting and personal… impressive, an expansive reading that sees the work whole…[An Alpine Symphony] undeniably picturesque, vivid and dramatically projected…top-notch playing, and this extravagant score also enjoys notable recorded sound… lingering lyricism, invariably heartfelt and, in conclusion, cathartic” – Colin’s Column
“Rouvali is already a great Straussian…speaks very well for the future of his partnership with the Philharmonia…This set is still a noteworthy benchmark for this new conductor/orchestra partnership…The recorded sound on these discs is mostly excellent” – Musicweb International
★★★★ Performance ★★★ Recording “[Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel] you can hear the excellence of the solo work, in the wind in particular” – BBC Music Magazine
“It’s generous in all senses, with extensive documentation accompanying performances that are expansive, vividly recorded and beautifully played…[Alpensinfonie] a handsome and ultimately rewarding performance…[Also sprach Zarathustra] is notable for a truly thrilling sunrise and some exciting climaxes elsewhere…an enjoyable release…[the performances] offer ample evidence of Rouvali as an interesting and far from conventional Straussian, and one well worth hearing” – Gramophone
“This whole album is just a huge success in my books. I mean to take something so epic –all these things are so epic and so massive and to still have so many refined nuances and tiny details and colours and attention to, you know, really beautiful harmonies… I think that the orchestra and Santtu really do a fine job of balancing these nuances together. It’s really incredible.” – BBC Radio 3 Record Review