Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Multi-award-winning violinist Ray Chen is the soloist in Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s dazzling violin concerto. Korngold was threatened by the politically intensifying climate of Europe and emigrated to the US in 1938. There, he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand film score composers. The violin concerto is built on a theme from some of his movies and was a huge success immediately. 

While visiting Italy with his family, Sibelius worked out several ideas for Symphony No. 2. After its world premiere in 1902, it became a symbol of Finnish liberation from Russian control, and upon hearing this sincere, singing and ultimately triumphant music, it is not difficult to understand why. 

The orchestra is led by Patrik Ringborg, who at short notice replaces Anja Bihlmaier. Bihlmaier regrets she has to withdraw from this week’s concerts due to a sudden family bereavement. Ringborg is an internationally active Swedish conductor who has worked a great deal in Germany. Over the years, he has regularly featured Swedish music, and conducted the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra on numerous occasions.

The concert opens with music by Andrea Tarrodi, one of Sweden’s most buzzed-about young composers, praised for her personal and vibrant music. Her piece Liguria was inspired by the idyllic little fishing villages on the Ligurian Sea on the northwest coast of Italy.