Two Serenades for Violin & Orchestra - Jean Sibelius

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi. Dong-Suk Kang as the violin soloist. I - Serenade No.1 in D major. Andante assai: 0:00 II - Serenade No.2 in G minor. Lento assai: 6:21 Sibelius' Two Serenades were composed between 1912-3. They were premiered in a concert dedicated to Sibelius's 50th birthday in December 8 of 1915, with the Helsinki City Orchestra conducted by Sibelius along violinist Richard Burgin. At the time they were overshadowed by the festivities and by the first public performance of the fifth symphony, which was premiered along this work. Written shortly after the obscure and dark fourth symphony, the two serenades present a complete contrast in their nordic lyrism and simplicity. Sibelius originally intended to write a series of serenades for different instruments, but the violin ones seems to be the only to come to fruition. The first serenade begins with a short orchestral introduction, followed by the explosition of a lyrical, deeply romantic main theme by the soloist. It is then developed with great expression, culminating in an orchestral climax. After a melodic passage, the strings add some darkness and tension as the soloist recapitulates the theme. The music rises again in a series of brilliant climaxes. A calm coda ends the movement. The second serenade opens with a main theme presented by the soloist, deeply lyrical and romantic in the nordic character. It is melodically developed with some hints of virtuosity. A rhythmic and boucy second theme is then presented by the soloist, which offers the adequate contrast. Follows a virtuosistic development of this material. The main theme is then lonely recapitulated by the soloist. The work concludes with a short but joyful coda. Picture: "Rendez-vous" (c1880) by the Finnish painter Amélie Lundahl. Musical analysis written by myself. Source: https://bit.ly/38Bczi4