Henning Kraggerud - Sibelius, Sinding: Violin Concertos (2004)

Sibelius ranks as one of the most important and strikingly original symphonic composers of the twentieth century. His Violin Concerto, a wonderful synthesis of technical brilliance and poignant, deeply-felt melody, is one of the greatest concertos in the repertoire. It is coupled on this disc with the rarely recorded Violin Concerto No. 1, by Christian Sinding, widely remembered as the composer of The Rustle of Spring. Written within the German late Romantic tradition, the Concerto exudes cheerful ebullience and lyrical charm, a world away from the mysterious, haunting, desolate yet beautiful Scandinavia of Sibelius. The Romance, Op. 100 here receives its world première recording.