Jean Sibelius titled one of his many symphonic poems »The Bard«. What exactly the piece is about remains unclear, except that it centres on a wandering poet and singer, a figure familiar from many legends of Nordic mythology. And naturally, this bard is given an instrument of his own: the harp, which plays an important role in Sibelius’s score. Perhaps Sibelius was simply aiming for a timeless portrait of the artist – after all, are not he himself and his interpreters, at heart, all »bards«?
PERFORMERS
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester orchestra
Johan Dalene violin
Jukka-Pekka Saraste conductor
PROGRAM
Jean Sibelius
The Bard, Op. 64
Thomas Adès
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 23 »Concentric Paths«
- Interval -
Piotr I. Tschaikowsky
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 »Pathétique«