János Sólyom, born in Budapest in 1938, is one of Scandinavia's leading pianists and studied piano, composition, and conducting.
Interpretation
Birgit Nilsson believes that a Romance, a musical form she loves, expresses much with simple means and requires grasping the mood quickly for a supreme artistic experience.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sibelius, irritated by singers over-emphasizing each phrase, noted in his diary that his absolute music is purely musical and independent of words, making recitation out of place.
Critical Reception
Sibelius's song "Se'n har jag ej frågat mera" (And I Questioned Then No Further) made such a deep impression on Brahms that he exclaimed, "Something will come of him (Sibelius)!"
Composer's Artistic Vision
Richard Strauss frequently set the work of contemporary poets to music, creating a rich synthesis of German poetry and music from the late 19th century.
Performer Biography
Birgit Nilsson, one of the world's leading dramatic sopranos, has a particular fondness for Wagner and Strauss.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Jean Sibelius's songs are described as monumental compositions in miniature, reflecting his symphonic ability to create monumentality even in a limited format.
