Description: Concert started with Mahler's "Todtenfeier" from 1888. It had it's moments (in some slow movements I thought something might develop, but no), but generally I found this piece boring. Mahler is definitely not my man ! Then it was time for Sibelius's Kullervo from 1892. For me this was the fiirst hearing of this work.More positive experience, but nothing triumphant. Maybe there's too much "mythology" in this music, it started to annoy a little, The male choir sounded convincing, the soloists less convincing. Davone Tines,baritone, was a strange choice to sing this part as the text was in finnish language.

Description: I chose this concert because it's interesting to hear works you are not familiar with. There was lot of good in this work, but "Luonnotar" which I heard some years ago (by superb performance of Sakari Oramo and soprano Anu Komsi) made me much greater impression.

Description: The tickets for Sibelius Festival 2026 are for sale now, Busoni's Piano Concerto is on the programme then and I acquired the ticket already, as this work is wonderful and not so often heard. So see you in 2026 (Deo volente) !