Other than the Symphonies and the Violin Concerto, these works represent some of Sibelius’ most popular orchestral pieces – and some of their finest performances. The ‘Finlandia’ is truly epic and searing, the ‘Valse triste’ ethereal, and the ‘Four Legends’ (which includes the famous ‘Swan of Tunonela’) in turn ethereal and commanding.
JEAN SIBELIUS
Finlandia, Op. 26 No. 7
Karelia Suite, Op. 11
Philharmonia Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Valse Triste, Op. 44 No. 1
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Four Legends from the Kalevala, Op. 22
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Horst Stein
‘Ashkenazy performs Finlandia with plenty of growling brass and high energy… Stein, a masterful Sibelius interpreter, vividly recreates the fantastic world of this music’ ClassicsToday.com