Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Karelia Suite; Belshazzar's Feast

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto, for violin & orchestra in D minor, Op. 47
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra with Pekka Kuusisto
Conducted by Leif Segerstam

2. Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leif Segerstam

3. Belshazzar's Feast (Belsazars gästabud), suite for orchestra (or piano), Op. 51
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leif Segerstam

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Kuusisto (pronounced KOOsisto) is a superb young Finnish violinist whose first recording goes right to the top of the list. This is an exceptionally fine modern recording of Sibelius' great Violin Concerto-it is so effortlessly natural, so sure of where it is going, that there's no point in comparing it to other versions. A lot of the credit must also go to Segerstam who not only accompanies with extraordinary care, but also does the other two works as well as they ever have been. Putting more Sibelius on the disc rather than some other violin concerto keeps the emphasis where it belongs: on the composer. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 1. Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 2. Adagio di molto
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: 3. Allegro, ma non tanto
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: 1. Intermezzo
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: 2. Ballade
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: 3. Alla marcia
Belshazzar's Feast, Suite, Op. 51: 1. Oriental Procession
Belshazzar's Feast, Suite, Op. 51: 2. Solitude
Belshazzar's Feast, Suite, Op. 51: 3. Nocturne
Belshazzar's Feast, Suite, Op. 51: 4. Khadra's Dance

Amazon.com

Kuusisto (pronounced KOOsisto) is a superb young Finnish violinist whose first recording goes right to the top of the list. This is an exceptionally fine modern recording of Sibelius' great Violin Concerto-it is so effortlessly natural, so sure of where it is going, that there's no point in comparing it to other versions. A lot of the credit must also go to Segerstam who not only accompanies with extraordinary care, but also does the other two works as well as they ever have been. Putting more Sibelius on the disc rather than some other violin concerto keeps the emphasis where it belongs: on the composer. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Finnish All-Stars.......2007-07-08

The Sibelius Violin Concerto is a basic in the repertoire of any violinist of note. Young award-winning fiddler Pekka Kuusisto teams with the original Sibelius orchestra led by Leif Segerstam for a very fine and totally Finnish performance...and it's beautifully recorded in state-of-the-art sound by the Finnish Ondine engineers!

The two suites of incidental music are also beautifully performed in the same lush and expansive manner. I particularly love the alternatingly poetic and lilting Karelia Suite; the delicate opening pianissimo is sublimely rendered and sounds as natural as can be when the dynamic range and frequency response is as wide as here. I went back and played the whole suite again.

Outstanding performance of Sibelius' violin concerto.......2004-02-29

When I first heard this recording a couple of years ago (just after it was published), I couldn't believe my ears; that such a young violinist would be able to perform this challenging violin concerto with such a depth. Not to be forgotten is of course Leif Segerstram conducting the ultimate "Sibelius orchestra", the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. On this album, Segerstram is able to create a very authentic feeling of some of Sibelius' finest music. Not only the Violin Concerto, but also the Karelia Suite and Belshazzar's Feast. The performance and technical quality of this album don't leave anything to wish. I like also the fact that this album does honor to Sibelius by not being packed with absolutely everything from his repertoire, but a good selection. This is a highly recommendable album especially for everyone who is looking for an excellent recording of the Sibelius' Violin Concerto.

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