Work: Rakastava (The Lover) for string orchestra, Op.14

With Advent in full swing, and as 2021 draws to a close, it is comforting to be reminded of seasonal rituals expressed through the power of music: Sibelius, Finzi and Britten with BBC SO forces under Oramo.

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra opens its season with a dazzling showpiece by Thomas Adès.

As Esa-Pekka Salonen reaffirmed in his brief introductory statement, “nothing can replace the ritual of a live event”.