Over 20 years in the making and with the heavy weight of anticipation resting upon his shoulders, Brahms’ first steps into the world of symphonic writing feel more like a triumphant leap in the great unknown. He booms onto the scene with a thundering heartbeat on the timpani, picking up where Beethoven left off in his final symphony.
From mountaintops to valley lows, Strauss' concerto shows off the acrobatic qualitites of the horn. A fanfare from the same instrument then begins the folk-infused story of Karelia, a land of majestic beauty, bitterly fought over for centuries. Pivotal moments from its rich history are depicted by Sibelius.
