SIBELIUS, J.: Pelleas and Melisande • Musik zu einer Szene • Autrefois • Valse Chevaleresque
Pajala • Nordqvist • Turku Philharmonic • Segerstam
8.573301

Raymond Bisha dips into a Naxos recording of works by Jean Sibelius that have been obscured by the popularity of his symphonies and the violin concerto, including many pieces he wrote to complement stage works. Although these might be termed incidental and occasional, they belie such labels by constituting an extraordinary treasure house of the most charming and melodically rich pieces from Finland’s first internationally recognised composer.