Musical Soirée at Ainola
Works for Violin and Piano by Jean Sibelius
Pekka Kuusisto, violin
Heini Kärkkäinen, piano
Track listing
21 tracks · 65:50Jean Sibelius
- Five Pieces, Op. 81 15:47
- 1 I. Mazurka 2:26
- 2 II. Rondino 2:01
- 3 III. Valse 3:34
- 4 IV. Aubade 3:05
- 5 V. Menuetto 4:43
- Four Pieces, Op. 78 13:02
- 6 I. Impromptu 1:59
- 7 II. Romance 3:25
- 8 III. Religioso 5:38
- 9 IV. Rigaudon 2:02
- Danses champêtres, Op. 106 18:01
- 10 No. 1 4:44
- 11 No. 2 2:29
- 12 No. 3 4:35
- 13 No. 4 3:04
- 14 No. 5 3:11
- Four Pieces, Op. 115 11:04
- 15 I. Auf der Heide (On the Heath) 3:00
- 16 II. Ballade 4:07
- 17 III. Humoreske 2:51
- 18 IV. Die Glocken (The Bells) (Capriccietto) 1:09
- Three Pieces, Op. 116 7:46
- 19 I. Scène de danse 2:18
- 20 II. Danse caractéristique 2:40
- 21 III. Rondeau romantique 2:49
About this recording
A uniquely conceived recording of works for violin and piano by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) recorded in Ainola using the composer's own Steinway grand. Pianist Heini Kärkkäinen appears together with 1995 Sibelius Violin Competition winner Pekka Kuusisto. The booklet features rare vintage photos of Sibelius's home and family.
The artists
Pekka Kuusisto
Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and distinctive musicians working today. Always demonstrating his extraordinary individuality and imagination, he is unusually free and fluid in his approach and has been acclaimed for the spontaneity and freshness in his playing. Setting Pekka Kuusisto apart from most other violinists of his generation is his desire and ability to improvise, and his love of playing many different styles of music, channeling the same intensity into each genre.
Heini Kärkkäinen
Heini Kärkkäinen (b. 1966) began studying the piano with Dimitri Hinze in Jyväskylä and in 1984 went on to study with Liisa Pohjola at the Sibelius Academy, where she graduated in 1991. She further studied with Ralf Gothóni and with Jacques Rouvier in Paris. In 1984, she won the Ilmari Hannikainen Piano Competition, and she came second in the Maj Lind Piano Competition two years later. In 1993, she was nominated Young Artist of the Espoo International Piano Week. From 1997-2000, she was the recipient of a three-year State artist grant.