Sibelius - Music for violin and piano, Vol.1

Penguin Guide 3 stars.

This album features compositions for violin and piano by Jean Sibelius, a Finnish composer known for his deep connection with nature and his aspiration to be a violin virtuoso. It includes original and revised versions of early works, as well as later miniatures composed during and after World War I. The pieces, such as *Romance* and *Epilogue*, highlight Sibelius's evolution from ambitious early sonatas to more refined, lyrical works, with influences from his orchestral compositions. The performances by Nils-Erik Sparf on violin and Bengt Forsberg on piano bring these intimate yet technically demanding works to life.