ATMA Classique is pleased to present Richard Strauss / Arvo Pärt – the label's first recording project with I Musici de Montréal and the ensemble's first album in ten years.

Richard Strauss / Arvo Pärt is also the first album under the direction of Jean-Marie Zeitouni, who was the ensemble's Music Director until April 2021.

Composed in response to the devastation of World War II, Strauss's Metamorphosen is a major study for 23 soloists and features each of the orchestra's instrumentalists. The piece is paired with Arvo Pärt's "Los Angeles" Symphony no.4, a work the composer described as "a bow to the great power of the human spirit and human dignity."

Jean-Marie Zeitouni is one of the brightest conductors of his generation. He is currently principal guest conductor of the Colorado Music Festival (where he served as music director from 2014 to 2018), artistic partner of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and a regular collaborator with the Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy and the Opera national de Lorraine. He was also artistic director of I Musici de Montreal and music director of the Columbus Symphony in Ohio.

Founded in 1984 by Yuli Turovsky, I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra is composed of 15 exceptional musicians who bring to life a varied repertoire ranging from the 17th century to the present day. I Musici de Montréal has built a solid reputation thanks to its numerous international tours and 40 recordings.