# Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto · Karelia Suite · Belshazzar's Feast

> Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto · Karelia Suite · Belshazzar's Feast – Pekka Kuusisto, Helsinki Philharmonic…. Ondine ODE 878-2, CD, released February 1996.

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-878-2

- **Composer:** Jean Sibelius
- **Work(s):** Violin Concerto · Karelia Suite · Belshazzar's Feast
- **Performers:** Pekka Kuusisto, violin; Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra; Leif Segerstam, conductor
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODE 878-2
- **Format:** CD
- **Release date:** 1 February 1996
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195087824
- **Tracks:** 10, total 64:25
- **Genres:** Orchestral, Instrumental
- **Series:** Bestsellers

## Track listing

**Jean Sibelius**

- *Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47*
1. I. Allegro Moderato (16:27)
2. II. Adagio di molto (9:12)
3. III. Allegro, ma non tanto (7:45)
- *Karelia Suite, Op. 11*
4. I. Intermezzo (4:08)
5. II. Ballade (8:12)
6. III. Alla marcia (4:30)
- *Belshazzar's Feast Suite, Op. 51*
7. I. Oriental Procession (2:42)
8. II. Solitude (3:15)
9. III. Nocturne (4:20)
10. IV. Khadra's Dance (3:54)

## About this recording

This CD, Pekka Kuusisto's début album, features the famous Sibelius Violin Concerto. 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, including a special prize for the best performance of the Sibelius concerto.

This disc earned gold status in Finland and the Music Industries Association Award for Excellence 1996. Also featured are the Karelia Suite and the Belshazzar's Feast Suite. Leif Segerstam conducts the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

The same recording of Sibelius's Violin Concerto was reissued twice, as part of a boxed set of the complete symphonies ([ODE 1075-2Q](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1075-2q)) and coupled with the Second Symphony ([ODE 1115-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1115-2)).

## Features

Booklet with liner notes in English, German, French and Finnish

## Press

Ici, on touche le mystère, l'ambiguïté, les demi-teintes. La sonorité du violon est pure, claire et en même temps très nourrie (...), qui apprécie également la tenue de la ligne mélodique, qui lui semble infinie. Le second mouvement, doucement lyrique, et le finale, magistralement phrasé, finissent de convaincre (...), également (...) par la fusion du soliste dans l'orchestre de Segerstam.

Franck Mallet & Bertrand Dermoncourt, Classica / Qobuz.com, 10 Novembre 2010

Pekka Kuusisto (...) is a phenomenon: not simply in terms of technical wizardry but also in the maturity of insight.

Barry Millington, The Times, May 23, 2996

Pekka Kuusisto is special. A youthful player of old-time grandeur (...) his Sibelius - masterful, emotionally sweeping and mature - is a a knockout. (...) Here, you feel, is the real thing, an authentic chemistry of Finnish composer, soloist, conductor and producer.

Ates Orga, BBC Music Magazine, May 1996, Performance*** / Sound***

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODE8782OW)

## Related pages

- [Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/sibelius-jean.md)
- [Pekka Kuusisto, violin](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kuusisto-pekka.md)
- [Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/helsinki-philharmonic-orchestra.md)
- [Leif Segerstam, Conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/segerstam-leif.md)

## Also recommended

- [Jean Sibelius: Works for Violin and Orchestra](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1074-5.md): Tapiola Sinfonietta · Pekka Kuusisto, violin & conductor (ODE 1074-5, 2006)
- [Jean Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies · Violin Concerto · Finlandia](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1075-2q.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1075-2Q, 2005)
- [The Absolute Sibelius: Violin Concerto · Symphony No. 2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1115-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1115-2, 2007)
- [Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto · The Bard · The Wood Nymph](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1147-2.md): Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · John Storgårds, conductor (ODE 1147-2, 2010)