Composer Jean Sibelius was born in 1865 in Finland. He was also one amazing violinist, as opposed to Brahms, who was a choir director and a pianist. When Brahms composed his Violin Concerto, he got important advice from his good friend, violinist Joseph Joachim, about what was playable in the violin score that Brahms composed, and what needed some modification.
Such editing and assistance were not needed by Sibelius, because he was an amazing violinist on his own.
Today I took some time to carefully listen to what Sibelius composed. I actually see this now as a gift I gave myself as the end of this week approached. The soloist was the German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, and her performance was really outstanding.
Ms. Mutter is 55 years old. Have a look at her, as she performs this concerto! What power! Yet how sensitive, and how Romantic is her interpretation of this amazing work!
