Ondine, the Finnish record label, has signed conductor Robert Trevino. Planned projects will feature both of this young American conductor’s orchestras, and begin with a bold statement: a Beethoven symphony cycle with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, which will emerge from a Beethoven Festival this autumn. There will also be a survey of American music by composers including Howard Hanson with the Basque National Orchestra. 

‘I have had my heart set on Ondine for a long time,’ said Trevino, reflecting on the new partnership. ‘Their Sibelius recordings under Leif Segerstam have long been absolute favourites of mine, paragons of how both the production and interpretive side can come together to make something to treasure. I knew that I wanted to be part of that tradition.’

Ondine’s acclaimed catalogue boasts recordings from conductors including Christoph Eschenbach, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Hannu Lintu. ‘Ondine chooses its musicians very carefully,’ said the label's founding Director Reijo Kiilunen. ‘[We’re looking for] great artists who perform visionary and imaginative interpretations of standard repertoire and who also have adventurous minds in presenting the public with fascinating, lesser-known musical discoveries. Robert Trevino is a perfect match for these qualities.’

Trevino debuted as chief conductor of the Malmo Symphony last month, performing music by Thomas Adès and Mahler. Gramophone critic Andrew Mellor was there, and following the concert tweeted: 'a writhing, fighting, heaving, loving Mahler 5 full of expressive detail and a balletic Asyla before it,' describing Trevino’s appointment as a 'gamechanger'.