Dalia Stasevska embraces ‘mixtape’ format

Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska embraced a different format with her latest album. Released today (30 August), Dalia’s Mixtape is the culmination of Stasevska’s long-term project with record label Platoon and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, where she is principal guest conductor.

Influenced by ‘mixtape culture’, Stasevska’s latest release includes works by 10 contemporary composers, hand-picked by the conductor. The 10 ‘tracks’ of the mixtape album have been released one by one over the last six months, each accompanied by a podcast with Stasevska and the composer.

Announcing Dalia’s Mixtape, Stasevska said: ‘I wanted to create an album that resonates with our time and that is tailored to the way people listen to music today. I wanted to challenge myself and our industry in taking a completely fresh and adventurous approach from the usual classical music release tradition. Dalia’s Mixtape has been inspired by different mixtapes and playlists, by the way music sounds today and the way we access it.

She added: ‘Across ten tracks, I want to help change our perception of what an acoustic symphony orchestra can do and celebrate the diversity and breadth of modern approaches to orchestral composition and performance. This spirit is present in the release of the music as all pieces have been released separately as singles and all releases include a podcast conversation with the composer.’

The project is released in collaboration with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with whom Stasevska gave the UK premiere of Julius Eastman’s Symphony No 2 at the Proms (24 August). It combines influences from classical, rock, heavy metal, electronica and ambient music with featured composers including Anna Meredith, Caroline Shaw, SØS Gunver Ryberg, Andrea Tarrodi, Noriko Koide and Judith Weir.

Talking about her choice of the ‘mixtape format, Stasevska said: ‘Music is adventure and there are no rules that must be followed. Why stick only to what we’ve been doing for decades? It is important to explore - and see where the journey takes us.’