Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Norse Gods

Kirill Karabits conducts the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Sibelius's Pohjola's Daughter, Grieg's Piano Concerto with soloist Alexander Malofeev, and Nielsen's Symphony No 4.

Like so many of his other descriptive works, Sibelius’s symphonic fantasy 'Pohjola's Daughter' was inspired by Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala. In terms of sheer orchestral opulence Sibelius never surpassed what he achieved in this score, evoking the vastness of the setting and the brilliant colours of Pohjola’s rainbow. 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 the Piano Concerto is perhaps one of the most recognisable in all of classical music. Based upon descending seconds and thirds, it is but one sign of how Norwegian folk music was making its impact on his emerging style. It continues with many attractive themes, a thrilling cadenza and much dazzling originality. Written at the height of the First World War, Nielsen’s Fourth Symphony is a tectonic musical struggle between the forces of destruction and the energy of life itself. It culminates in one of the most uplifting and thrilling of all symphonic climaxes.

Recorded at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts, presented by Martin Handley.

Sibelius: Pohjola's Daughter
Grieg: Piano Concerto

Interval:
Wagner: Eine Sonate für das Album von Frau Mathilde Wesendonck in As, WWV85
Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano)

Nielsen: Symphony No.4 'The Inextinguishable'

Alexander Malofeev, piano
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Kirill Karabits, conductor

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Tue 30 May 2023 19:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony from Rotterdam

Next

Philharmonia play Stravinsky and Prokofiev

See all episodes from Radio 3 in Concert

Recipes

See all recipes from Norse Gods

Music Played

  • Jean Sibelius

    Pohjola's Daughter - Symphonic Fantasia Op.49

    Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kirill Karabits.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Concerto In A Minor Op.16

    Performer: Alexander Malofeev. Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kirill Karabits.

  • Nikolai Karlovich Medtner

    Forgotten Melodies Op.38 - No.6 - Canzona Serenata

    Performer: Alexander Malofeev.

  • Richard Wagner

    Eine Sonate Fur Das Album Von Frau M.W. In A Flat Major

    Performer: Pierre‐Laurent Aimard.
    • Deutsche Grammophon: 4779439.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 2.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Symphony No. 4 Op.29 (The Inextinguishable)

    Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kirill Karabits.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 - I. Andante - Moderato - Poco

    • Burning Through The Cold.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 1.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 - II. Allegro con brio

    • Burning Through The Cold.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 2.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 - III. Largo

    • Burning Through The Cold.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 3.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 - IV. Allegretto - Adagio

    • Burning Through The Cold.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 4.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 - "Dumky" - IV Andante moderato (Quasi tempo di marcia)

    • Brahms & Dvořák Piano Trios.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 8.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 - "Dumky" - V - Allegro

    • Brahms & Dvořák Piano Trios.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 9.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 - "Dumky" - VI - Lento maestoso

    • Brahms & Dvořák Piano Trios.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 10.

Broadcast

  • Tue 30 May 2023 19:30
    BBC Radio 3