Search - Jean Sibelius, Adrian Leaper, Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Symphony No. 5

The music of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) strongly reflects his continually growing identification with Finnish nationalism, and his attention to ancient Nordic mythology and Swedish folk poetry. At the center of his output are the symphonies, distinguished by the composer's unusual feeling for structure. Sibelius worked on the Fifth Symphony for almost six years. A first version of it, in four movements, appeared in time for the celebration of his fiftieth birthday, but only in 1919 did the final version -- the one played most often today -- appear. The Violin Concerto, written between 1902 and 1905, received poor reviews at its premiere. Sibelius revised it and it had a new premiere under the baton of Richard Strauss. Today it is considered one of the composer's greatest works. Under the direction of Adrian Leaper since 1994, the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria has gained an outstanding international reputation as a symphony and opera orchestra.