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Microtonal classical music comes across as a nerdy pastime operating in the margins between "real notes," and with good reason. An experimental microtonal instrument is typically encircled by a close-knit community of musicians and composers who are unable to evangelise their discoveries because of difficulties in playing technique or other challenges. However, in recent years so many microtonal instruments have been developed and adopted in Finland that the colourful world between the notes is finally opening up to wider audiences.

"It is delightful that the ambitious concert projects by the Helsinki Chamber Choir so often become available in recorded form."

"Kuula can create a powerful sense of atmosphere – I won’t fall back on the cliché of 'brooding northern forests', but you know what I mean – with remarkably few notes, and this fondness for heroic understatement suggests that he might have made a most impressive symphonist."

"Maija Hynninen creates spacious, original sound worlds and narratives that leave room for the listeners’ imagination."

"Haapanen writes for the orchestra as for a collective of virtuosi and the FRSO do not let him down in this scintillating performance."

"Risto-Matti Marin’s recital of unknown Finnish Romantic piano music is a triumph. The works he has chosen all arouse surprised respect – who knew? – and he plays them with unhesitating conviction."

"If this recording doesn’t sweep up an indecent quantity of prizes, there’s something wrong with the world."

"For all the sophistication of Rautavaara’s harmonic language, what he is doing here, basically, is weaving a spell – and I defy you not to be hypnotised by the unearthly beauty of this wonderful music."

"Music was omnipresent in my home, but when drummer friends older than myself introduced me to jazz, I was properly hooked. I decided that the best drummers play jazz, and thus began an exploration that remains as interesting today as it was when I was twelve."