Kristjan Järvi, Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands Opera - John Adams & Lepo Sumera: Shifting Landscapes (2001) [SACD]

A splendid disc. If you start to think that Adams and Summer are very cleverly pressing all the right buttons in three very commercial works, you may well be right, but don't get cynical, -relax and go along for the ride, - it's exciting and exhilarating.
If you want more Nordic depth and dramatic power then go to Sibelius (who Sumera clearly loves) but if you are willing to listen to something lighter but still affecting, intelligent and enjoyable (in the true sense of communicating joy) by way of modern romantic minimalism, then Sumera's second symphony is just the thing. I listened to it with a smile on my face first time round, and the smile re-appeared second time, but closer listening also brought greater appreciation beyond just its immediate appeal. It's accessible, but not superficial.
The two Adams pieces are much better known (especially Chairman Dances) and both are as you'd expect, full of flowing incident (a paradox not an oxymoron) and excitement. If the Violin Concerto and other Adams works make you think (and listen) harder, these two pieces are still very enjoyable, - and compulsive listening.
If I have a minor complaint, it's that the Sumera is sandwiched between the two Adams works. I was initially quite annoyed when the last Adams piece came in, - not because of the piece, but because I wanted to fix my memories of the Sumera better and to let it fade properly inside my head. There isn't quite enough silence allocated to the gap between the two, - so future listens will involve use of the pause button for a few seconds longer.
For all you techos, the disc was recorded in 5 channel DSD on a Sonoma recorder/editor using Meitner A/D and D/A converters. More importantly, the recording team led by producer Hein Decker obviously comprised intelligent engineers with musical ears. The sound is great - wide stereo imaging (but not so wide as to be artificial), crisply realised and realistic solo instruments (without too much spotlighting), huge dynamic range with a good feel of having a real orchestra in front of you, - all mightily impressive as well as immensely listenable. Despite the wide soundstage, the big dynamic range and the very nature of the music, I was exhilarated, never tired, by the sound.
Don't read the booklet first, by the way. Whilst parts of it are okay, the very first page is full of the pretentious, meaningless pseudo-academic drivel you can only find in German-sourced blurbs. Give that a miss. But don't give the disc a miss, it's one I'm glad I bought and one I'll be playing frequently. Buy. Enjoy.