A Japanese music label will record Manfred Honeck's concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra this weekend, but not for the reasons one might think.

Octavia, audiophile label with three imprints, has a prior relationship with Honeck, having recorded the PSO music director designate and the Czech Philharmonic on its Exton label. The two wanted to work together again, and Exton was interested in recording Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben," on the program this weekend. The PSO was interested in having its new director and the orchestra on disc but didn't plan on its being this soon.

"This is serendipitous timing," said Rachelle Roe, director of public affairs. "Manfred is in Pittsburgh with his new orchestra and a piece that this label wants to record. It is a great opportunity, and it presented the perfect situation for Manfred and the label to work together again."

Octavia owner and producer Mr. Tomo Ezaki will lead a team that will record the Strauss, the premiere of Alan Fletcher's Clarinet Concerto and possibly Verdi's Overture to "La forza del destino" in a five-channel surround sound, SACD format. The recording does not yet have a release date.

"They are working on finding a U.S. distributor for the album, and possibly a way of electronic distribution," said Roe. The PSO hopes to work with the label in the future and will continue to record conductor Marek Janowski on Pentatone.

"We are always looking for excellent recording opportunities, but it has to be the right relationship."