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Cover: Jean Sibelius – Works for Violin and Orchestra

Jean Sibelius

Works for Violin and Orchestra

Tapiola Sinfonietta
Pekka Kuusisto, violin & conductor

ODE 1074-5 · SACD · May 2006

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Track listing

18 tracks · 63:42

Listen to samples on selected tracks.

Jean Sibelius

  1. Six Humoresques for violin and orchestra 20:51
  2. 1 Humoresque I in D minor, Op. 87/1 3:40
  3. 2 Humoresque II in D major, Op 87/2 2:09
  4. 3 Humoresque III in G minor, Op. 89/1 4:30
  5. 4 Humoresque IV in G minor, Op. 89/2 3:57
  6. 5 Humoresque V in E-flat major, Op. 89/3 3:26
  7. 6 Humoresque VI in G minor, Op. 89/4 3:08
  8. Two Serenades for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 69 11:22
  9. 7 Serenade I in D major 5:15
  10. 8 Serenade II in G minor 6:07
  11. Suite for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 117 8:20
  12. 9 I. Country Scenery 2:10
  13. 10 II. Evening in Spring 4:23
  14. 11 III. In the Summer 1:48
  15. Swanwhite, Suite for Orchestra, Op. 54 23:09
  16. 12 I. The Peacock 3:33
  17. 13 II. The Harp 3:14
  18. 14 III. The Maiden with the Roses 2:59
  19. 15 IV. Listen, the Robin Sings 3:47
  20. 16 V. The Prince Alone 3:41
  21. 17 VI. Swanwhite and the Prince 3:19
  22. 18 VII. Song of Praise 2:36

About this recording

For lovers of Sibelius's famous Violin Concerto, this CD offers the ideal opportunity to discover his less-performed works for violin and orchestra, played by the celebrated Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto.

Described by The Guardian as "absolutely mesmerising", Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most cutting-edge violinists of his generation who performs with the major orchestras in the world and is acclaimed for his tone, technique, infectious enthusiasm and his imaginative interpretations. He embarked on his international career in 1995 at the age of nineteen, when he became the first Finn to win the Sibelius Violin Competition. His début album, featuring Sibelius's Violin Concerto, earned gold status in Finland and the Music Industries Association Award for Excellence 1996 (ODE 878-2, or coupled with Sibelius's Complete Symphonies, ODE 1075-2Q).

The Tapiola Sinfonietta is one of the top professional orchestras in the Nordic countries, famous for its fine performances of classical, contemporary and less-known chamber orchestra repertoire.

Features

Hybrid SACD (recorded in DSD; SACD Surround 5.0 / SACD Stereo / CD Stereo - playable on all SACD and CD players)

Press

An aural delight of excellently spirited Sibelius. (...) the total effect warrants my recommending this disc for Best of the Year honors.
Gary Lemko, Audiophile Audition, September 1, 2006

The way Kuusisto and the ensemble breathe together in the Humoresques, allowing real improvisatory freedom with no loss whatsoever of rhythmic coherence, is pretty amazing. (...) The engineering, whether in stereo or multichannel formats, is just as splendid as the performances. (...) Terrific!
David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com, July 2006, Artistic Quality 10 / Sound Quality 10

Enchanting (...). Sheer unbelievable nuances between naively cheerful elegance and spookily pale coolness. (...) A product to fall in love with - discretely but permanently.
Rasmus van Rijn, klassik-heute.com, July 2006, 10/9/10

Kuusisto's lithe, pliable playing is matched by the Tapiola Sinfonietta's sensitivity in creating images that are enchanting and wonderfully evocative in equal measure.
Geoffrey Norris, The Daily Telegraph, July 10, 2006, Classical CD of the week

The artists

Tapiola Sinfonietta

The Tapiola Sinfonietta has established itself as Finland’s premier chamber orchestra. Founded as the Espoo City Orchestra in 1987, it currently has 44 members. The orchestra is known for its adventurous repertoire planning and has been widely acclaimed for nuanced performances across a wide range of eras and styles.

Full biography

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.

Full biography

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