# Diapason d'or de l'année 2008 for Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Kullervo' recording

> The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of the choral symphony Kullervo by Jean Sibelius is the 2008 winner of the 'Diapason d'or de l'année' in the…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/news/diapason-d-or-de-l-ann-e-2008-for-helsinki-philharmonic-orchestra-s-kullervo-recording

- **Category:** Award
- **Date:** 21 November 2008
- **Publisher:** Ondine

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of the choral symphony *Kullervo* by Jean Sibelius is the 2008 winner of the 'Diapason d'or de l'année' in the orchestral music category. The recording also features soprano Soile Isokoski, baritone Tommi Hakala and the YL Male Voice Choir (Helsinki University Choir), under the direction of the orchestra's emeritus chief conductor Leif Segerstam ([ODE 1122-5](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1122-5)). The awards ceremony took place on November 20 at the Maison de la Radio in Paris.

[Diapason](http://www.diapasonmag.fr/) is France's most widely distributed classical music and HiFi magazine. It teams up with the public radio station France Musique for the 'Diapasons d'or de l'année', which recognise the best classical music recordings of the year. The awarded disc already received a monthly 'Diapason d'or' accolade in the magazine's July/August issue, and critic Christian Merlin praised, "(...) Leif Segerstam's forceful interpretation, at the top of the discography. (...) Soile Isokoski is simply unsurpassable."

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has a long and triumphant association with the music of Jean Sibelius, having premiered under the composer's baton almost all of his symphonic works - including *Kullervo* in 1892, an event that turned out to be the breakthrough of Sibelius as a truly national composer. This *Kullervo* recording completes the Orchestra's acclaimed Sibelius symphonies cycle led by Leif Segerstam, which was hailed as "a major Sibelius event" by ClassicsToday.com ([ODE 1075-2Q](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1075-2q)).

Since its release in April 2008, the winning disc has continuously received outstanding reviews throughout the international press, including a 'Disc of the Month' accolade at ClassicsToday.com ("the best solo singing the work has ever received").

This is already the second time that Ondine won a 'Diapason d'or de l'année'. In 2000, the winner in the same category was Mikko Franck and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra's recording of Sibelius's *Lemminkäinen Legends* Op. 22, coupled with *En Saga* Op. 9 ([ODE 953-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-953-2)).

## Related release

- [Jean Sibelius: Kullervo (ODE 1122-5)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1122-5.md): Soile Isokoski, soprano · Tommi Hakala, baritone · YL Male Voice Choir · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1122-5, 2008)