James Ehnes, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner - Sibelius: Works for Violin & Orchestra (2024) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47: I. Allegro moderato
02. Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47: II. Adagio di molto
03. Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47: III. Allegro, ma non tanto
04. 2 Humoresques, Op. 87: No. 1, Commodo
05. 2 Humoresques, Op. 87: No. 2, Allegro assai
06. 4 Humoresques, Op. 89: No. 1, Alla gavotta
07. 4 Humoresques, Op. 89: No. 2, Andantino
08. 4 Humoresques, Op. 89: No. 3, Commodo
09. 4 Humoresques, Op. 89: No. 4, Allegro
10. 2 Pieces, Op. 77: No. 1, Cantique
11. 2 Pieces, Op. 77: No. 2, Dévotion
12. 2 Serenades, Op. 69: No. 1 in D Major
13. 2 Serenades, Op. 69: No. 2 in G Minor
14. Suite for Violin & String Orchestra, Op. 117 in D Minor: I. Country Scenery
15. Suite for Violin & String Orchestra, Op. 117 in D Minor: II. Serenade. Evening in Spring
16. Suite for Violin & String Orchestra, Op. 117 in D Minor: III. In the Summer

Sibelius studied the violin in his youth, and actively entertained the prospect of a career as a professional violinist for much of his student life. After graduating from the Helsinki Music Institute, in 1890, he went to Vienna to continue his studies, and while there he even auditioned (unsuccessfully) for a place in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. So, it comes as no surprise that the instrument plays an important place in his compositional output. What might be surprising is that he wrote only one concerto – this might perhaps be due to the difficult conception of the work. The first performance received mixed reviews, and led to extensive revision of the score. It was only when Jascha Heifetz in the 1930s started to perform the concerto regularly that it gained its place in the standard repertoire. Although there was no second concerto, Sibelius’s numerous other works for violin and orchestra are no mere miniatures, as the recordings on this album amply demonstrate. The acclaimed international virtuoso James Ehnes is accompanied here by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner.

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