In Gramophone Magazine’s traditional end of year round, Paavo Järvi and the the EFO’s recording of Estonian Premieres has been chosen by Editor in Chief, James Jolly, as one of his favourite albums of the year.

“What all the works on this album share is a wonderful way of colouring with the orchestra” says James Jolly on the Gramophone podcast. “There are some absolutely gorgeous sounds … It also shows off Paavo’s orchestra. This is one of those orchestras that comes together once a year and there are players from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and the Berliner Philharmoniker. It’s really a super orchestra and they play gloriously …”

Listen to the full Editor’s Choice podcast here

The Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG has announced a five year contract extension with Music Director Paavo Järvi, who will now lead the Tonhalle Orchester-Zürich until July 2029 at home in the recently renovated, iconic Tonhalle and on tour internationally.

“I am honored and excited to continue my work with the wonderful musicians of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich” said Paavo Järvi. “I am very committed to the orchestra and its future, and feel privileged to work with such a great team, both on stage and behind the scenes.”

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Paavo Järvi and The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen reunite this week for performances and recordings of their latest project – the Haydn ‘London Symphonies’. Following performances in Bremen (25 November), Hamburg Elbphilharmonie (30 November) and Vienna Konzertahus (3 and 4 December), they head for Japan for two performances in Tokyo (8 and 9 December) and then on to South Korea for concerts in Seoul (11 and 15 December), Yongin (12 December) and Gyeonggi (13 December). Sony Red Seal releases Volume 1 in Japan to coincide with the tour and the first international CD release will follow in Spring 2023.

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”You never quite know what you’ll get on record next from Paavo Järvi” writes Andrew Mellor in Gramophone Magazine, “though there was the slightest clue some John Adams might be on the way given the composer was in residence at the conductor’s Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra for the duration of the 2021‑22 season. That makes this recording a little more than a homage from a distance. Adams was personally involved in its preparation and had recently conducted the orchestra in some of the works included.”

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On 24 September, the European Culture Prize took place for the first time in Switzerland with a gala evening hosted by the Tonhalle. Receiving the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich’s Prize as one of eleven international cultural ambassadors, Paavo Järvi said “A symphony orchestra is a good example of how we could model our society: 32 nationalities are represented here, highly talented, professional and full of respect. It has never been more important for me as an Estonian to be a European than in these times.”

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“John Adams Rattles And Rolls Like New Music” wrote Norman Lebrecht in his preview of Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich’s latest album, to be released by Alpha Classics on 2 September. (more…)