Sibelius | Szymanowski Violin Concertos

 

With her new recording of the violin concertos by Jean Sibelius and Karol Szymanowski, Lea Birringer explores two captivating musical landscapes. Together with the Rheinische Philharmonie under Benjamin Shwartz, she has created an album that sheds new light on these works in all their tonal richness and interpretative depth.

Transformation - Lea Birringer

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 whose gentle melancholy provides a calm contrast to the two powerful concertos.

 

With her distinctive artistic voice and refined sense of sound, Lea Birringer once again showcases her versatility. This recording invites listeners to experience two outstanding works of the violin repertoire from a fresh perspective.

Release: 25 April 2025 | Rubicon Classics