II. The Path of His Beloved

Sibelius: Rakastava, 'The Lover', for string orchestra, timpani and triangle. The reworking of Rakastava (which translates approximately as ‘The Lover’) retains the thematic material of the choral original, but the very idiomatic and rhythmically subtle string writing is wholly characteristic of the mature composer. The third movement features a solo violin and cello, assuming the rôles that vocal soloists had performed in the choral version of the suite. Soloists: Jaako Kuusisto, violin and Ilkka Pälli, cello.
Classics Today 10/10, highest rating: 'This extremely enjoyable disc should command your immediate attention'; Music Web International: outstanding.