London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner - Tania León: Horizons, Raíces (Origins), Stride, Pasajes (Live) (2025)

The fifth consecutive fortnightly release from the LPO label, currently celebrating their 20th anniversary year.

Cuban-born American composer Tania León was Composer-in- Residence with the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 2023-25. During this period, she not only brought a bold new voice to the concert stage with a number of world premieres, but also mentored the LPO’s Young Composers, championing living composers and diversity in contemporary music.

Horizons (1999): Premiered in the UK by the LPO under Karina Canellakis at the Royal Festival Hall in October 2023, this evocative orchestral work reflects León’s fluid musical form - an ever-shifting stream punctuated by vivid foreground events and rich textures.

“Structured as much by textures as by themes, it said much in ten minutes. The composer was present and clearly appreciated the dedicated playing of the LPO under Principal Guest Conductor Karina Canellakis.” - Bachtrack (★★★★)

Raíces (Origins) (2024): Commissioned by the LPO and Concertgebouw Brugge and premiered by the LPO under Edward Gardner in March 2024, Raíces explores León’s multicultural heritage through a vibrant, three-part structure that fuses contemplative textures, lively Latin rhythms and jazz-inflected exuberance. Gardner called it “a beautiful pointillist tone poem about the roots of language and culture.”

“León’s work felt both personal and universal, resonating on multiple levels as it brought to life themes of memory, history, and cultural belonging.” - Stage & Cinema

Stride (2020): A Pulitzer Prize-winning work premiered by the New York Philharmonic and given its UK premiere by the LPO in 2023 under the baton of Dima Slobodeniouk, Stride draws inspiration from women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony’s determined spirit. Its powerful rhythmic language blends Black music traditions from the US and Caribbean with the modality of the orchestra.

Pasajes (2022): A European premiere by the LPO under Edward Gardner in February 2025, this vivid four-part work evokes the sounds, sights, and joyful spirit of León’s childhood in Cuba. Rich in colour, rhythm and narrative, Pasajes is a sonic gallery of cultural memory, celebration and radio playing in the street.

“Gardner and the LPO gave a precise and energetic performance, with convincing confidence in its challenging rhythms.” - Bachtrack (★★★★)

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor
Karina Canellakis, conductor
Dmitri Slobodeniouk, conductor

TRACKLIST

1. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner, Karina Canellakis & Dmitri Slobodeniouk - León: Horizons
2. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner, Karina Canellakis & Dmitri Slobodeniouk - León: Raices (Origins)
3. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner, Karina Canellakis & Dmitri Slobodeniouk - León: Stride
4. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner, Karina Canellakis & Dmitri Slobodeniouk - León: Pasajes