This new Alba disc offers a generous if not exhaustive survey of Sibelius’ works for violin and piano, a combination to which the composer devoted a substantial portion of his relatively small chamber music output. Beginning with the accomplished though not yet distinctive early works, such as the pleasing Romanze, the program mainly centers on the Op. 71 and Op. 77-79 collections from Sibelius’ middle period. These include such individual gems as the beautiful Scene d’amour and touching Devotion Ab imo pectore, as well as the folksy Rigaudon and Danse caractéristique. One of most interesting of the individual pieces is the Tanz-idylle, which sounds quite similar in style to the Third Symphony. The program concludes with the three-movement Sonatine Op. 80, a captivating work full of evocative harmonies and novel motivic and dynamic juxtapositions that summon a uniquely Sibelian sound-world (brought vividly to life by Alba’s spacious recording). Kaija Saarkettu and Teppo Koivisto offer polished and perceptive performances that fully capture the spirit of the music, so much so that you wish they had been able to include some of the composer’s last works in the genre. Nontheless, this is a fine collection in its own right. [8/23/2004]
