Rodion Shchedrin - Music from The Lady with the Lapdog; Concerto Dolce (Olli Mustonen)

Information

Composer: Rodion Shchedrin

• Music for Strings, Oboes, Horns and Celesta
• Shepherd’s Pipes of Vologda (Hommage à Bartók)
• Concerto dolce
• The Frescoes of Dionysios

Lawrence Power, viola

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra

Olli Mustonen, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Ondine

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Rodion Shchedrin (1932–2025) was a major figure in post-war Soviet music, known for his distinctive voice and wide-ranging compositions. This album by the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Olli Mustonen presents four of his works, including music from the ballet The Lady with the Lapdog and the viola concerto Concerto dolce, performed by renowned violist Lawrence Power. Prepared shortly before Shchedrin’s passing, the recording also stands as a tribute to the longstanding friendship and artistic collaboration between the composer and Mustonen, which developed over more than three decades. The album highlights Shchedrin’s expressive style and lasting influence on contemporary orchestral repertoire.

Olli Mustonen (b. 1967, Helsinki) is a Finnish composer, pianist, and conductor known for combining these roles in a distinctive and balanced musical career. He began studying piano, harpsichord, and composition at age five, later training with Ralf Gothóni and Eero Heinonen in piano and Einojuhani Rautavaara in composition. Following the tradition of musician-composers such as Rachmaninov and Busoni, Mustonen frequently appears in multiple roles within a single performance. He has collaborated with leading orchestras worldwide and served as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (2021–2023) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra (2023–2025). Also an award-winning composer, he continues to perform internationally as a recitalist and chamber musician.