Salonen conducts Sibelius and Grieg

This concert by the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundunks has an entirely Scandinavian theme. Under the aegis of Finnish-born Esa-Pekka Salonen the orchestra begins the recital with “Eleven Gates”, a work of soundpainting by the contemporary Swedish composer Anders Hillborg. Alice Sara Ott provides the focal point of the evening, with the Piano Concerto by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg. The orchestra rises to the challenge with the impressive final work, the great Fifth Symphony by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, a performance marking his 150th birthday “that no one who was present will ever forget.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)