Sibelius, J.: 5 Danses Champetres / Pieces for Violin and Piano (Musical Soiree at Ainola)

Featuring

Pekka Kuusisto
Heini Kärkkäinen
Jean Sibelius

Did you know?

1/7

Instruments

The black Steinway grand piano featured on this recording was a 50th birthday gift to Sibelius in 1915, acquired through a public appeal by 144 music lovers.

Composition History

The collections Opp. 115 and 116, among Sibelius's last published works from 1929, were born out of sheer inspiration, unlike earlier miniatures partly composed due to financial need.

Composition History

During World War I, with travel impossible, Sibelius, while working on his Fifth Symphony, composed numerous violin miniatures, fulfilling a childhood dream of being a violin virtuoso.

Instruments

Pekka Kuusisto performs on a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin from 1752, on loan from the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Composer Biography

Jean Sibelius moved to his villa, Ainola, in 1904, seeking a different environment for his art, as he felt his creativity died in Helsinki.

Performer Biography

Violinist Pekka Kuusisto launched his international career by winning the Sibelius Violin Competition in 1995 at the age of 19.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded at Ainola, Sibelius's home, using his original Steinway grand piano and 1950s Telefunken and Neuman tube microphones to faithfully capture the venue's acoustics.

Estrellita

Violin Recital: Joseph Lin

Stanford: Music for Violin & Piano

Strauss: Sonata for Violin and Piano Op. 18 / Dvořák: Romantic Pieces for Violin and Piano Op. 75 / Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin; Liebesleid; Syncopation; Marche miniature viennoise