Jean Sibelius, the composer, had a mixed national heritage, with ancestors who were Finnish Swedes, Swedes, and German, though he considered himself a Finn.
Performer Biography
Ivry Gitlis had a diverse career, performing with major orchestras and conductors, championing contemporary music, and collaborating with artists from classical to jazz and even The Rolling Stones.
Composer Biography
Sibelius initially studied law, as music was considered a risky profession, but he abandoned it to pursue music.
Critical Reception
Some concert violinists believe the monumental difficulties in the last movement of Sibelius's Violin Concerto are his 'gleeful revenge' on successful violinists.
Composer Biography
Sibelius harbored a lifelong desire to be a celebrated violinist, playing 'practically from morning to night' for ten years and even performing the Mendelssohn concerto publicly.
Performer Biography
Ivry Gitlis, the violinist on this recording, began studying violin at age five and was sent to Paris to study at the National Conservatory by celebrated violinist Bronislaw Hubermann.
Composition History
The Violin Concerto in D minor is Sibelius's only major work for a solo instrument and orchestra, despite his preoccupation with writing for violin.
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Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47
Sibelius: Concerto in D Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 47 & Bruch: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 26
Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Op. 47 - Vaughan Williams: Concerto accademico - Chausson: Poème, Op. 25 - Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in D Minor
