Sibelius | Szymanowski Violin Concertos
After her recording of the violin concertos by Mendelssohn and Sinding, Lea Birringer returns with a new project, opening another fascinating chapter in her musical journey. Together with the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie under the direction of Benjamin Shwartz, she explores two works that could hardly be more different—yet are connected by their intensity and poetic power.
While the sublime, Nordic drama of Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor—one of the most significant works of the violin repertoire—fascinates with its dark atmosphere, dramatic surges, and profound emotional intensity, Karol Szymanowski’s Second Violin Concerto, Op. 61, unfolds a soundscape rich in color, folklore, and expressionistic nuances. Its refined harmonies and dense motivic interweaving create an organic sonic fabric, where the solo violin and orchestra are closely intertwined.
As an atmospheric complement, Armas Järnefelt’s Berceuse is a quiet, contemplative miniature, offering a gentle melancholy that contrasts with the power of the two concertos.
With her distinctive artistic signature and tonal finesse, Lea Birringer once again demonstrates her versatility—an invitation to experience these masterpieces from a fresh perspective.
Release: 25 April 2025 | Rubicon Classics
Photo: Andreas Orban, SWR Kultur