Tommi Hakala - Norden: Songs By Jean Sibelius (CD)

Release Date: 01/01/15

Gardiff singer of the world competition winner Tommi Hakala, baritone, Pia Freund, soprano and Kristian Attila, piano, p

Gardiff singer of the world competition winner Tommi Hakala, baritone, Pia Freund, soprano and Kristian Attila, piano, perform Sibelius “hits” that have become especially dear to them. Examples are Säv, säv susa (Sigh, Rushes, Sigh), Illalle (To Ilta) and Var det en dröm? (Was it a Dream?). Some of the songs are truly rare; these include En visa (A Song), which despite its serious message shows a very exceptional, relaxed and jovial Sibelius. It is also the first Lied he allowed to be published, and it dates from 1888. Examples of songs that are interesting in an unusual way are Marssnön (The March Snow), which comes very close to a Scandinavian folk song, and I natten (In the Night), with its simply evocative and impressionistic moods.