Music of the Fatherlands

The middle of the nineteenth century saw many composers, especially those in Eastern Europe, standing aside from the German tradition of basing their music on local, regional influences. Mikhail Glinka is often thought of as the father of modern Russian music; his opera Ruslan and Ludmila (1842) drew on Russian folk music.

Antonín Dvořák developed the Bohemian flavours which had been pioneered by Smetana. His cello concerto (1895), much praised by Brahms, contains many wonderful moments. Both composers wrote vivid and colourful music.

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Jean Sibelius is regarded as Finland's finest composer. His originality emerged despite his study in Germany and Austria. His music is atmospheric, evoking the great vistas of northern Europe. He adored nature and found much inspiration in Finnish folklore. His work focused on orchestral music and the originality of his symphonies with their "inner logic" influenced many later composers.

Conductor: Claudio di Meo