Performer: Jukka-Pekka Saraste

Saraste’s mastery in Sibelius is hardly a surprise, and neither is the calibre of the orchestra Sibelius himself often visited to conduct.

Works by Alban Berg and Gustav Mahler recently heralded this year’s concert season in Zurich, where Artist in Residence Janine Jansen gave a superb performance. 

Radu Lupu produces Mozart so sublime as to delight the angels, Saraste and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra give us a lesson in poise, balance and blended sound.

Music by the unhappy couple precedes a bombastic rendition of Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass by the Oslo Philharmonic orchestra and choir under Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

Besides Giltburg’s superlative play in Grieg, Saraste’s Sibelius swept you off your feet. 

Where should the ideal Mahler 5 sit on the Bernstein-to-Boulez spectrum? Saraste and the LPO had a persuasive answer.