Northern Highlights

Grieg is beloved for his lyricism which derives from Norwegian folk tunes and the Romantic tradition to which he belongs, and the striking, opening gesture of his Piano Concerto is perhaps one of the most recognisable in all of classical music. It continues with many attractive themes, a thrilling cadenza and much dazzling originality. In his Third Symphony, working with a relatively modest orchestra, Sibelius anticipates aspects of neo-classicism. The economically argued, taut score acquires an epic nobility in its final pages, sealed by three pillar-like brass chords. Sibelius himself conducted it in Bournemouth on 17 February 1921.